Post by Katanaheart on Apr 30, 2024 20:58:08 GMT -5
Finally, I have Shadow! My goal is also to be finished with the book before the end of the year. My second goal is at least having this book completed before the next college semester starts on January 8th.
(I utterly failed all of the goals I set. A lack of time and motivation has really stunted my long-form reading. Anyway, I want to out of the singular chapters before I begin adding more to this post. But I wanted to set the thread back up before then. Also no spoilers for later books even if I do have a rough estimation of some events in Wind and Thunder.)
Prologue
And didn’t expect for the Prologue to open with Berryheart’s near death at the paws of Darktail. I can’t remember if she’s supposed to be pregnant in this scene or if she discovers so later. Considering the age difference between her litter and Dovewing’s it’s likely she and Sparrowtail mated while they were both in exile/on the run.
Also ShadowClan’s had a fairly long history of being ruined by outsiders on various levels: Sol, Darktail, Tigerstar I, all outsiders so Berryheart does have a very realistic and believable fear. Doesn’t apply to Fringewhisker but knowing that Berryheart was one of the near drowned cats, her trauma is rather intense. And she’s just one of the few that got away which was likely paramount to her success. If any of her Clanmates had succeeded like she did, Darktail definitely would be slicing throats before sending the bodies into the deep.
She must also be where RC and SC’s borders kinda connect, at least in relation as to how I have imagined Tigerstar II and Dovewing’s route to the Guardian cats.
I miss the Guardian cats.
Chapter 1
Frostpaw! Yay, Frostpaw! I was worried I’d be opening into a Nightheart chapter.
Ah, the immediate aftermath of Tigerstar II’s takeover, great.
To be fair, you couldn’t predict dogs eating your mom, Frostpaw. So I wouldn’t exactly count that as a failure. Owlwhisker was a very poor choice and everyone dropped the ball on that one. (Good job, Mothwing)
“I want hunting patrols. Not all of you are badly hurt.”
And who hurt them, Tigerstar II? Who hurt them?
Who nearly killed grandma Duskfur because he wants to be like his namesake so bad?
And let’s desecrate another Clan’s gathering spot while we’re at it, Tigerstar II. Get your claws out of the Highstump.
You’re here because you want to take your anger out on something and believe your StarClan’s gift to the Clans, owl-food.
No, Harelight! If everyone attacks Tigerstar II together, I can be free of him! Surely, one of you can rip into his underbelly if you all attack at once!
Lights in the Mist, I hate that dumb title.
It is totally fair, Icewing. It IS Owlnose’s fault. If he had bothered with attending the ceremony, RiverClan could potentially even have answers as to who the next leader should be.
But nope, got cold paws.
But I do agree with Icewing that now isn’t the time, even if I do want everyone to charge Tigerstar II and rip him apart.
The Clan does need two healers right now who can tend to wounds after a coup.
“This is not a conquest.” You came in, nearly killed a senior warrior of RiverClan, and started barking orders. Don’t give me this wasn’t a “conquest,” nonsense.
Leaving your deputy specifically is a bit of a dumb move, Tigerstar II. Who’s going to organize the patrols while she’s gone?
I’m glad there’s one cat here who accepts that I’ll lord over you. Is more like it.
I also agree with Duskfur, you’re only choosing Icewing because she’ll listen to ShadowClan as she owes ShadowClan, her life.
Splashtail also hasn’t had an apprentice, choose Breezeheart instead. She needs screentime and is mentoring an apprentice.
I find it funny that Frostpaw’s thought process implies that Mothwing isn’t a real medicine cat.
Is this talk going to be about a future as Icestar, Icewing?
Chapter 2
It was a conquest, it was always going to come to blows, Sunbeam.
Berryheart is correct up until the point of outsiders. The only large group right now is the Sisters and they migrate too much, they’re not going to be an issue. Although Sleekwhisker and the Kin remnants are a possibility, of course, that isn’t who Berryheart is referring too. She’s referring to Fringewhisker.
Hopefully they’ll invade ShadowClan and kill Tigerstar II or beat him up, both are too much for me to hope for. But I can dream for a Cloverstar leadership.
Me suffering through more Nightheart screen-time, that’s what is going on, Sunbeam.
And now he’s lying to Gullswoop.
Someone drag him out of camp, please!
At least Gullswoop is uninterested because of food or she just doesn’t believe Nightheart.
Likely the former.
Yes, thank you. Berate him for his foolishness and not even telling you about it.
No, no, you should have snapped at him. He deserves it.
You don’t even know if you want a mate and here he’s waltzed in, loudly spoke to people about both of you being mates, when you don’t even like him in such a manner.
It was not.
He wants an escape from TC.
Berryheart, calm down. This is the opposite of Spireclaw’s situation, although the factor of Nightheart being more trouble than Fringewhisker is… more of a reasonable concern, tbh. (More in the fact that he’ll get himself killed like Lightleap and Blazefire or needlessly argue with ShadowClan cats.)
Using Fringewhisker was not a good argument, just mention to Berryheart that you didn’t even ask him to join ShadowClan. This was his idea.
Why suffer heat when you can reasonably and honestly throw Nightheart under the bus, as he deserves?
These are all reasonable concerns and the last thing is why I’ve been hating this whole Clan-switching.
Chapter 3
Why couldn’t I have been present for Tawnypelt screentime? At least make his pov bearable.
And why bring Nightheart, an untested ThunderClan warrior to an emergency gathering? Do you want to throw your weight around at your uncle and be all: Look, who has your grandson!
This is very poor political decision making but I imagine Tigerstar II is too busy fawning over himself to realize that.
And yes, because hostile conquest and nearly murdering a senior warrior to get RiverClan to further surrender is… reasonable.
And yes, Tigerstar II is behaving like good old grandad or great grandad in your case, Nightheart.
Did Fringewhisker tell?
Famous grandpa, Leafstar. Ancestor is being it like Tigerstar I was around when Mapleshade was alive,
He says as he takes over RiverClan like the first Tigerstar. Just instead of swaying his hips for Leopardstar, he nearly killed Duskfur. (I’ve never read Tigerclaw’s Fury so I’m guessing his charisma did him some favors as usual.)
I’m helping by invading, putting my deputy or puppet RiverClan cats in charge, see?
That does not explain at all, what happened. You only found that out AFTER you conquered RiverClan.
I don’t feel sorry for Owlnose, even trying to meet at the Moonpool could have gotten RiverClan something. Silence or even word that he wasn’t leader would have been better options.
Help and advice, he says when he caused the people he was advising to bleed and need healing.
We attacked them in their camp, that proves they can’t defend themselves.
Unbelievable fox-dung. This is almost Brokenstar levels of talk considering he drove out WindClan instead of lording over them.
(Also RC and SC later on in Fire and Ice if TC hadn’t helped out.)
And if they don’t accept it, you’ll actually kill one of their warriors this time, right?
He has no good reason for what he has done, stupid, brainless, Nightheart.
Also notice one of your warrior ancestors IS Tigerstar I and Oakstar, who I imagine might be very pleased that RiverClan is broken and that most of Appledusk’s descendants are dead.
Thank you, Bramblestar for pointing that out!
And why did you have to bother speaking? Sit down, the leaders are talking! You don’t hear Crowfeather yapping, do you? Sit and shut up with your fellow loud mouth.
Once again, showing how TC is fractured and Squirrelflight is too impudent to be a deputy, let alone a leader.
And he’s letting his puppet do the talking. Mothwing, do anything instead of being a dead bug on a log!
At least TC and SkyClan don’t believe Icewing, a relief.
And they weren’t injured by another Clan, Nightheart, that’s the positive.
Probably peacefully and I’d have less of a headache with Squirrelflight around.
Yes, another cat who can’t hear StarClan, aka your son.
And Puddleshine, while he has a StarClan connection, I doubt RiverClan would listen to him.
Stop ordering people around and go choke on a mouse.
Frankly, I feel Alderheart would be best as it could remind Mothwing of Leafpool. (Although I do want some WindClan action regardless.)
I’m not surprised by Bramblestar being indecisive when it comes to his nephew, yet again. He’s allowed his kin to cloud his senses before and he’s doing it now. If this was Harestar’s decision making, Bramblestar would likely be responding differently.
Also for all of Squirrelflight’s yapping, Leafstar isn’t going to do anything. It’s like an annoying ginger fly with a white wing buzzing around.
I would also like that better, Berryheart.
I also agree with her that the tests need to be more difficult and include the skills of the new Clan. ShadowClan has the perfect examples of stealth, ambushes in shadows, and night hunting.
And here’s the other peanut gallery, hi Crowfeather.
A good idea from Finchlight as long as the tasks aren’t super easy and miss the point.
And he missed the point, entirely. Good job, Nightheart!
Chapter 4
Yay, sibling time!
Both Sunbeam and Frostpaw should have more sibling screen time.
Yay, Breezeheart appearance! Icewing’s here too.
Ah! So you haven’t had your potential Icestar discussion then?
And Breezeheart immediately gets misgendered, great. She’s a she-cat, not a Tom. :/
Why are you eating squirrel? Don’t you have fish around?
Duskfur I agree with but I know she retires later. Icewing, I would have agreed with but I feel she’d bow down to Tigerstar II if RiverClan were to get in any future conflicts with ShadowClan. So she’s out too.
Why not Shimmerpelt or Breezeheart though? (Breezeheart has the exact training as her mother, Icewing, with one apprentice, which is one of your littermates, Frostpaw. Same qualifications as Icewing and not a puppet for Tigerstar II.)
(If I feel her name wouldn’t be confusing for later, I’d call her Puppetwing but alas.)
I now can’t remember if StarClan actually chose her to choose someone unlikely, it’s been a bit since I finished Sky.)
So the other ShadowClan cat in camp is a Tom!
Medicine cat apprentices ARE supposed to learn self-defense. Which Frostpaw’s should be especially potent as Mothwing was a former warrior but she clearly doesn’t rank very high as a decent mentor to Frostpaw, at all.
I’m still enjoying the much needed sibling interactions between the three! Love Graypaw and Mistpaw!
Choose someone experienced that won’t get cold feet, even a brief meeting with StarClan would be more knowledge than right now.
Now I’m picturing all of RiverClan’s warriors lined up outside of the Moonpool to see who StarClan selects to be leader…
Ah, and here comes useless. Hi, Shadowsight, I didn’t want to deal with his holiness’s son. (Pouncestep is the only one I care for in that litter.)
Medicine cats have some bit of power within the Clan, even speaking out against dear old dad could have done something, Frostpaw.
He deserves as much dung as his Clanmates.
“How are you all coping?” They were invaded. She was literally tending a wound that ShadowClan caused on one of RiverClan’s warriors, Shadowsight, you have eyes.
Glad that the book remembers Shadowsight is a tabby as idk if that’s prevalent within fandom artwork.
I wish RiverClan had had a warrior apprentice POV as we would have learned more about cats like the elders easier, even if RC only has Mosspelt.
Oooooh! Potentially no Icewing leader then if she’s thinking about retiring?
Yes; so he can move back in. Icewing was probably the last cat to tell this too, since she’s going to go be her puppet self to Tigerstar II.
You can just tell him nothing and keep waiting around. Can you consider the Congo line of RiverClan warriors at the Moonpool? It is a funny but good idea!
As for Frostpaw’s visions, I do think some of them are not coincidental and she IS getting them from somewhere.
I’m still upset we didn’t get said warriors names…
Yes, because that’s the best thing to tell him. Good job, Icewing.
That is a funny suggestion, Frostpaw. And while I am prone to violence and dead Tigerstar II, just throwing all of the problems at him until he gives up, is funny.
It doesn’t but I’m not surprised you’re using it for a justification.
You’re not even RiverClan cats anymore, you’re just ShadowClan now.
Wow.
Yep, totally not a conquest.
Tigerstar II May as well move his queens, kits, and elders into camp too at this rate. He has two houses, he should use them.
Temporary can easily become permanent, mouse-brain.
Except you’re not their leader. By normal logic, they should be treating Mothwing like their leader not a random other Clan who shouldn’t even be here.
Kill him! There’s a max of six ShadowClan cats present, just launch yourself at Tigerstar II and rip his throat out eight times.
And for once I agree with Mothwing, I also told you so.
I didn’t expect her to be a warrior apprentice so soon? Huh! I expected that to occur near the end of the book but nope.
Chapter 5
Most kin should be angry that their family member is choosing to fight and potentially kill their family members because they chose some random guy/gal more, Sunbeam.
To be fair, Cloverfoot lives in RiverClan and Tigerstar II might be out making controversial remarks, hence leave Berryheart in charge.
Nightheart being all: Your mom is not bad compared to my maternal Grandma and the rest of my family.
While I do agree that Fringewhisker did need a more proper test than moving a log, something anyone but WindClan could potentially do on their own. She’s a bit grandfathered in at this point. But if she fails, FringeXSpire can move to SkyClan, which is where I’d prefer them to be.
I appreciate Berryheart being mature and speaking calmly to Spireclaw in this moment, at least.
Tasks that are kinda needed Sunbeam, you can’t expect every enemy Clan cat to waltz in with solely love on their minds and they not respond negatively to reasonably suspicious new Clan mates. (Especially if said cats were to share borders as well.)
No, no SunXNight romance, bad. (I’m unfortunately aware of the inevitable.)
Then he’s injured and I’m happy.
I also wish there were more actual borders to look at, all that’s been shown is a burnt tree. Ugh, downside of the lake territories, no substance.
Says the guy who was taken down by a squirrel.
Berryheart, this isn’t a ShadowClan task…
It should be about remaining hidden at night while a small group searches or night hunting to catch lizards and frogs for a few nights.
Not a dumb obstacle course.
Also this is a challenge built for a SkyClan cat, you were better off giving this to a ThunderClan or RiverClan warrior.
Why haven’t you shown her the rest of the territory, Spireclaw???
She’s a new cat, she needs to know all of her territory!
Ugh.
These new cats need to be treated like first day apprentices in regards to learning the new Clan techniques, showing the entire territory, borders, etc.
And Fringewhisker has no excuse for not knowing, she’s been here for at least two moons.
Except Fringewhisker should have known, she’s been in ShadowClan long enough to know the entirety of the territory by now. Along with such a dangerous area, this is entirely on Spireclaw for not teaching his mate everything about ShadowClan’s territory. Not to mention shouldn’t a potentially dangerous area, even if one that is avoided. that has nearly injured one warrior have been spoken of?
This is entirely on Spireclaw’s paws as he should be informing his mate of such things.
Me smacking Spireclaw for being an awful mentor aside, it does at least show ShadowClan that Fringewhisker is capable of not being killed by a snake, like Gullswoop, proving she’s a capable warrior.
A capable warrior that I still feel belongs in SkyClan as I do think Fringewhisker would have made sure Spireclaw was more aware of basic knowledge such as territory in at least two moons of living there.
Chapter 6
Ugh, Nightheart.
I want him to fail but I know he doesn’t do that. Much sadness.
I wonder who designed the task for this one.
As in their strategic discussion, Tigerstar II gave the lame challenge of push a log.
Yes! This is what I’m talking about.
Also Nightheart being cocky and smug, then ya hit him with the fact it needs to be a ShadowClan specific prey. Awesome!
Says the hoping to be ShadowClan cat, better enjoy the taste of frog flesh.
Unlike Fringewhisker, you can pay attention, sometimes, Nightheart… Just to the surrounding area instead of actual communication with any other cat around…
His pride was bruised.
You deserve this!
Ahhh, I love this challenge so much!
While good to attract flies to frogs, this is not respecting the voles at all. So, you’re wasting prey that could be fed to ShadowClan while catching prey that could be fed to ShadowClan…
And now you’re eating prey when the elders and kits haven’t been fed yet, good job Nightheart. Awesome job breaking two codes at once, good thing we’re not in a famine.
Ah, so it was Berryheart to set up the task. If she had phrased her wording, I wouldn’t have to deal with so much Tigerstar II in three chapters. Still, super pleased someone finally did something Clan-centric. We all knew it wasn’t going to be Tigerstar II to do that.
Chapter 7
Frostpaw!
Why don’t we know what the Forest RiverClan’s meeting place is called?
And of course, he’s late…
Really, Tigerstar II… You were never a comedian.
And of the multiple awful things you’ve done in this conquest, I’m at least pleased you didn’t throw your weight around and name them yourself. (I’ll need to make a list of everyone the modern leaders have named, I’m now curious as to who’s the most decent.)
Stop ignoring the senior warrior you nearly murdered, Tigerstar II. This should be Icewing’s decision, even if I feel like Puppetwing would choose Harelight anyway.
Really, Icewing.
You’re practically RiverClan’s deputy right now, the least you could do is pick someone.
Duskfur is also right on that and what I wouldn’t give for Mothwing to have not been stupid in the first book.
It would have been so much more interesting if she had been ripped apart by the dogs instead of Curlfeather.
Good, squash the cousin love! Squish it!
No, go back to squishing it.
Your cousin doesn’t love you, like that…
Or familily, but that’s besides the point.
I greatly enjoy that the three cats responding in a row all have the pelt suffix. Havenpelt, Brackenpelt, and Shimmerpelt.
I do prefer Frostpaw as a medicine cat apprentice but I also know due to spoilers, she’s not exactly going to be a warrior one for very long due to travel time.
NIGHTSKY. GIVE HER TO NIGHTSKY.
MY GIRL!
I say knowing he’s choosing Puppet number 2. *Cries*
Owlnose also would have been a more interesting mentor given his established characterization as a very nervous cat.
But no, Puppetlight, it is.
And no mentor-apprentice dating with your cousin, please stop.
“No, I already have a mentor in mind. My second puppet you see! Puppetlight, you will be Frostpaw’s mentor.”
This is why he didn’t want Icewing doing the choosing but now I kinda wish she did.
Nightsky is one of her kits, she’d have totally chosen her!
And the best Night needs some screentime while Shadow/Thunder’s Night can go fall off a cliff and die. And Wind’s Night can just keep being a background character, Nightcloud hasn’t done much in a while.
Why can’t she be deputy instead of her ex?
I do at least like the fur color mention, I do prefer mentor-apprentice pairs that are similar in fur colors for camouflage purposes. But RiverClan likely had multiple other light furred cats.
Thank you, Duskfur for pointing out my complaints! Totally should have been Nightsky btw.
*Cries in lack of Nightsky and Breezeheart screentime.* I love them so much.
Splashtail was more out of line while I think Duskfur just feels her granddaughter has made the wrong choice. (I doubt she wants to believe Curlfeather had been incorrect so likely some level of grief related to Frostpaw’s decision.)
Another reason as to why Puppetlight was probably a poor choice, not that Tigerstar II knows who has and has not mentored in RiverClan… which is why a RiverClan cat should have made the choice.
(Nightsky also hasn’t mentored anyone but that didn’t stop Mistystar from choosing her sister as a mentor for one of her siblings either.)
Ah, oooof, poor Mistpaw, she’s been thinking on this hard.
Also love the sibling interactions! (I really wish Mist and Gray were main characters. Or even swap one apprentice out for Sunbeam’s pov. I’m already stuck dealing with Tigerstar II in all three povs.)
It really should have been Mothwing that was torn apart, she was utterly stupid to send just Frostpaw and Curlfeather alone.
But I’ve beaten this should-be corpse of Mothwing enough, I’m curious to see if Graypaw has also made that connection or not, as well.
Chapter 8
Why Lightleap? Why can’t you be with Pouncestep, the non Tigerclone and best TigerXDove kit?
Of course, Tigerstar II is behind this. Your gender-bent clone is allowed to not have friends, you know!
And now we’re stealing prey from RiverClan.
Good, not only did we nearly murder a senior warrior, now we’re stealing from our conquered enemy.
You’ll throw yourself or Sunbeam into a thorn bush, of course no one wants to hunt with you.
I’m glad Sunbeam is thanking StarClan even if she is actively stealing prey.
Duskfur is correct!
I’d be more happy if you were fighting Lightleap as killing her would be more fun than fighting Sunbeam.
Although very poor on Sunbeam to just invoke Cloverfoot’s name, she really does not mind that ShadowClan has just conquered RiverClan, at all.
Or they can just attack you and rip Lightleap’s head off. I doubt the editors would have the guts to kill another protagonist, so I’m guessing Sunbeam will be safe.
Even with Lightleap here, a patrol is typically made up of four cats.
They have zero rights to be making these claims and Lightleap is really proving she’s a chip off the old block.
Sunbeam, you can’t invoke names and then cut them off before they have a chance to say anything.
Duskfur also phrased that very well when talking to Icewing and Cloverfoot, love that.
“We’re trying to help you by invading your land and eating your food! And our leader nearly killing you, this is all help!”
ShadowClan wouldn’t know help if it smacked them upside the face.
I am more inclined to agree with Duskfur that it’s forbidden and against the code.
But Puppetwing isn’t being too much of a puppet without Tigerstar II around.
A decent compromise and nicely pointed out by Mothwing so Icewing doesn’t throw this solely in ShadowClan’s favor.
Although realistically, ShadowClan shouldn’t be hunting at all.
“We’re only here to help after my dad nearly killed one of your Clanmates, forcing you into a surrender!”
Lightleap is severely dumb but again likely believes father dearest can do no wrong. Even when her grandmother compared him to Tigerstar I.
And that’s her response, daddy is too strong?
Daddy should have been dead to an owl and we’d never be in this situation.
“It’s not our problem RiverClan lacks a connection to StarClan but we should be allowed to eat their food, because that’s “helping,”
The hypocrisy from Lightleap is maddening.
Also very missed opportunity to not have Sunbeam and Frostpaw to interact on screen and just timeskip them back to ShadowClan.
No wonder this chapter feels so short.
And I kinda wish these events were shown instead of told. Lizardtail also fighting Owlnose does make me think he would have been better off as Frostpaw’s mentor. He’d have a reason to be away from his Clanmates that are understandably prickly with him after getting cold feet and failing to even go to the Moonpool.
And I expected worse of Cloverfoot’s treatment in RiverClan but it makes sense they’d do petty things to the invader left in charge.
And if she was afraid to sleep in the warrior’s den, she could have gone to RiverClan’s empty Nursery or shared the Elder’s Den with Mosspelt. It would have given the elder some screen time at the very least and Cloverfoot wouldn’t be doing some high form of disrespect to Mistystar.
And Lightleap knew her feelings were true because she was fine with horribly stabbing Sunbeam in the back and didn’t care too much.
If she cared a lot, she wouldn’t have pursued it until SunXBlaze broke up naturally or the former died, simple as that.
Chapter 9
Once again, I would have liked these scenes to be more shown!
Best girl! There she is, Pouncestep!
Why not show Pouncestep and Gullswoop interactions?
Instead we jump immediately into Berryheart conflict.
I want to hear Pouncestep’s opinion and Gullswoop is likely a positive presence with Nightheart. But no, let’s skip that apparently…
Yarrowleaf, it’s also interesting that once again, Nightheart’s fiercer opponents are she-cats, although here his foes are very real instead of imagined nonsense because he can’t take that he’s responsible for some of his own actions, I am still not over him showing he can display self-awareness and then immediately dropping it in favor of blaming others, Squirrelflight’s meddling, not withstanding, of course... (I believe a majority of Berryheart’s Allies are she-cats as well but that would require a head count.)
Good job, dummy. Don’t interrupt the mother in law when she’s trying to speak.
Although it is nice to have the inverse example as usually it’s the wives that deal with awful mother-in-laws, in most fiction.
I do enjoy this conversation as this is entirely reasonable of Berryheart to do given her more paranoid manner. Sunbeam is also her only other daughter and she never got to have this discussion with Needletail’s ex-mate, Rain.
Stop being angry, dummy; that’s not how this works or goes.
And Berryheart has a point. No cat that moved for love deserves to be immediately trusted, if all that’s keeping you in an enemy Clan is a singular relationship then it’s more likely you’re going to betray this Clan once that relationship turns sour or the love interest dies.
In which case, you either betray the Clan your love was in for your birth Clan as a spy or return to your birth Clan.
I have many issues related to the forbidden love angle that are likely, not liked in the slightest.
But back to reading and watching Nightheart shove his paws in his mouth.
Oh, good, he has a brain.
And I still think SpireXFringe should be in SkyClan, she is not too suited for ShadowClan life and SkyClan would likely have been more accepting anyway.
I feel this scene would have been nice juxtaposition if we had seen him interact with Gullswoop and Pouncestep, at all.
But no…
I still want Pouncestep screentime…
Oooooh, second task time!
Please, let it be something relevant to ShadowClan. Not that I have much hope for you, Tigerstar II…
Seriously, now she’s sticking her nose into this?
I don’t want Dovewing screentime.
Dovewing, you haven’t really made right with your birth Clan or kin, considering the last interaction I remember you having, was insulting them but mmkay.
This is still an interesting premise, although it should entirely be within the birth Clan’s right to shred the pelts off of the two trespassers or simply say no, and go on with their day.
Goodbyes catch no prey or herbs.
Dovewing hit the nail on the head with Nightheart at least.
I still wish you would have stayed there instead of being brought back home. Then ShadowClan would still have Rowanstar around.
Ironic as you two are kin. You’re both related.
I do kinda wish another cat accompanied them, having two former Clan cats walk into camp isn’t exactly a good sight. For one, it may confuse the birth Clan into thinking they are returning which could sour emotions more, if they were already heightened.
Dovewing forgets her parents are alive, apparently. Dovewing, surely, you came to visit Whitewing and Birchfall too?
Also once again, you’re both kin.
I’m also not surprised by Lionblaze being pleased to see Dovewing given he trained her. Bit more confused by Cherryfall’s happiness and it’s good that Bumblestripe’s only complaints were for Nightheart.
Look at you, being respectful to Lionblaze for once. If only you could have done that while you were still in ThunderClan…
Leaf-fall!
I forgot what season it was.
Former mentor and your grandmother, brat.
Acknowledge your familial relation! This is your Grandma and you are the spitting image of her only son! This is more than just your former mentor, you’re talking too!
It’s almost like ThunderClan has no apprentices right now and plenty of elders while in ShadowClan, I doubt Oakfur is going to let you touch him…
ShadowClan, seriously needs more elders. Snowbird, go retire!
I also wonder if Sparkpelt’s angry tirade reflects some lingering emotions she has for Larksong as well. He also left her by dying while Nightheart just left.
Good, the demon’s gone and unfortunately not dead.
She was really going to just sit there and supervise this if she hadn’t been pulled away, I imagine.
Always meddling.
I feel Bramblestar had a point with the blackbirds but Nightheart of course, does not pay attention.
The conversation and visit with Bramblestar should have lasted longer.
I also feel if he should have spoken to each cat individually as he hadn’t been able to say much of anything to Bayshine or Finchlight.
Also, where are his aunts?
They’re kin too and also important!
Ugh, so much missed opportunity here!
Chapter 10
Frostpaw, my beloved. Please do not have cousin love or Tigerstar II in this chapter but I doubt I’ll be lucky for either of those…
You should have been taught self defense training, you should already know some of this…
Very annoying that they seem to forget an important skill for medicine cats, they can fight a little. Just not as great as a warrior.
FROSTPAW NO.
NO.
WHY.
YOU ARE AN APPRENTICE.
THIS IS YOUR COUSIN.
DO NOT PASS GO.
You also confessed this right after waking him up, I’d still be groggy right now too.
And a decent response from Splashtail, if only Raggedstar had some level of decency with that subject.
None of those words describe Splashtail.
Pick someone else you’re not related too, please.
Why is her chapter so short!
I want sibling interaction time or see how Cloverfoot’s doing!
Chapter 11
Another task for Fringewhisker, is this Jacques and Susan’s Twoleg Nest?
Fighting either of them would be a good task as vicious kittypets are a rarity.
And I imagine they’d still be alive anyway.
This is a decent idea as ShadowClan is supposed to be able to see in the dark.
I also feel she could just follow the scent of where the onion is strongest or the outside smell is.
This feels too easy.
Wonderful explanation by Berryheart that makes sense for ShadowClan to do, she does these tasks better than Tigerstar II.
Although being underground feels more like a WindClan task.
I still think they should have moved to SkyClan.
But at least Fringewhisker passed.
Dun, dun, dun!
Next task for Nightheart! I hope he fails or dies, even when I know neither of those happen.
Speed, so in another time limit or actual speed?
POUNCESTEP MENTION! Best girl!
Lightleap will get herself and Blazefire killed. Although I’d like Blazefire to live, we need less Tigerkin blood around. So we can throw Lightleap off a cliff.
Nah, he has three other Clans to attempt to join.
He wouldn’t be a rogue, just a very mistrusted Clan cat.
Stop being in love!
Also it’s a very missed opportunity that Sunbeam isn’t going to Spireclaw for advice about this situation, at all…
This could be a good sibling interaction but we’re just not getting it…
Snowbird joins her daughter! I imagine it’s humiliating that all of her grand kids are either destructive or in love with cats from other Clans.
Also notable that Grassheart isn’t with them? Wasn’t she with Berryheart’s gang?
Chapter 12
StarClan-cursed?
Interesting.
And you’re supposed to live here but haven’t even visited one of their territory markers or identify where the other Clan’s border is?
Ugh.
They really need to treat these new cats like apprentices, how are they to learn anything about their new Clan?
Cousin-lover! (This was my response to reading Splashtail’s name, technically it was worse. But I can’t type that here.)
Now why is Grandma Duskfur here? I hope she’s not involved with Splashtail’s greater shenanigans…
And of course they don’t like ShadowClan being on their territory and stealing their food. Stop supporting your conquest, Sunbeam!
Oh, yay!
I approve the reason for this meeting at least. Tigerstar II’s conquest needs to stop being a thing.
Forcing someone into the medicine cat position due to necessity isn’t exactly unheard of.
Puddleshine being one of them.
Why ThunderClan or SkyClan doesn’t loan out either of their cats for the StarClan aspect alone, I don’t know.
ShadowClan can even send Puddleshine as Shadowsight’s about as useful as Mothwing in that regard.
Someone with StarClan training can at least see who could have potential.
He wouldn’t approve of this because you’re in favor of the conquest, even when you weren’t there. He nearly killed Duskfur and forced RiverClan to the point of slaughter to accept his rule.
Ugh, this is what I hate about both Sunbeam and Nightheart, they’re both way too foolish and stupid with accepting Tigerstar II’s way.
Ironically, not against the code. It’s how Mothwing got her job after all, faking a sign and being accepted. StarClan isn’t going to bat an eye about that.
And Sunbeam sees some reason with her mother, good!
She needs to, you can’t go up to Tigerstar II and say he’s wrong.
Not to mention, she has tried.
His own mother comparing him to granddad didn’t even stir him.
The answer is yes.
WindClan and especially SkyClan are probably the most stable of the five Clans.
Chapter 13
Finally, Frostpaw!
Graypaw!
Breezeheart screen time!
I wish you three would actually spend more time together…
And no Breezeheart dialogue, I’m sad now.
Because she needed her own puppet like Hawkfrost needed Mothwing. Except better because you can kinda have visions while Mothwing has bad dream telling skills.
I now want to hear more about kitten dreams because Mistpaw, what even is that.
Riding up the stairs on a Twoleg monster is amazing.
Why couldn’t we have had these three be our protagonists instead of our conquest loving chums in ShadowClan? (Ignoring the fact Sunbeam is slowly growing a conscious but she’s still not down with her mom’s plans. Which is sad.)
No Splashtail mate!
You can be a loyal RiverClan warrior and I hope you’re not a leader, apprenticeless child.
Fishing!
Why can’t Harelight show us fishing scenes?
Stop being in love with your cousin.
Ironically, they wouldn’t lose her healing skills.
Cinderpelt utilized Brightheart’s herbal knowledge in ThunderClam after all.
But I can see Mothwing being more prickly than Cinderpelt, so maybe not.
Graypaw and Mistpaw’s concerns at least come from a mixed place of worry and grief unlike Splashtail.
Stay with your siblings instead!
I want them to have screen time, not your cousin love interest!
Rather ominous ending.
I kinda hope I have a RiverClan pov until the end of the back, it’s a shame I’m losing it in the next two(?) books.
Chapter 14
Nightheart should be doing something more knowledgeable than sunning himself. Go explore the territory or talk to someone you don’t know.
Normally I would agree but you people did make a new dumb code that lets you throw leaders out of that position. As long as the medicine cats and a majority of the Clan agrees, iirc.
Unfortunately, almost everyone would rather lick Tigerstar II’s toes than throw him out of leadership. Plus one of his sons isn’t going to go against his father anyway. He has a quiet a nepotism set-up.
And unlike his uncle, he isn’t plagued with a deputy that doesn’t mind her p’s and q’s, either.
But you talked about your Clan troubles with Nightheart, who was from another Clan…
Berryheart’s response for some reason makes me think her inner monologue is: What if Sunbeam’s pregnant? Lol
I wish you were though, I’d like his dumb tail to be owl-chow.
I wish we had actually gotten to see those interactions at RiverClan’s camp.
It would make this point more notable to the readers.
I also overwhelmingly agree with Berryheart in relation to ShadowClan and RiverClan. (I do feel one of the other Clans should just hand over a medicine cat but I doubt ShadowClan will provide Puddleshine, so it really isn’t ShadowClan’s business to bother when their forested neighbors have two medicine cats with StarClan capabilities.)
Absolutely loving Berryheart’s arguments here and she has plenty of reason to fear that things could go the way she feels it may.
And yes! Squirrelflight’s meddling hypocrisy is noted!
Ugh, I really love Berryheart and I know I’m potentially going to be crushed by some of her later decision making.
Even StarClan disagrees with Tigerstar’s II meddling, damn. Being called out by your Ancestors too and ignoring them. I bet ShadowClan’s Ancestors regret bringing him back from the dead now.
Lights in the Mist, ugh, I hate that stupid title.
None of them deserve it, it should be the cats who journeyed into the Dark Forest.
Lights in the Mist, a load of fox-dung.
Tigerstar II’s warrior name!
And I know it’s a controversial decision with Mistystar demoting her but with Mothwing just not attending half-moon meetings, I feel that decision should have remained.
Outside of healing, gathering herbs, and teaching the healing, Mothwing is pretty useless. Especially in the last two arcs, I feel she would have been better off as just an assistant like Brightheart was.
Yeah, there’s no Darktail, just a stubborn Tigerstar II who isn’t going to listen to anyone but himself.
I feel Berryheart’s group would succeed in their goals if Splashtail wasn’t involve, he’s a poison in the waters.
Also Berryheart gives me a more intensely loyal Mudclaw vibes but without the ambition angle.
If only we saw more of her sister to get a difference in their personality…
But Berryheart definitely shows the extremes of her suffix, heart, a suffix of loyalty.
Ironically, one Nightheart doesn’t represent at all.
Lightleap also thinks that Sunbeam is pregnant. Idk why my brain is jumping to that after the implications of alone talk with mom.
And good, do not talk to Lightleap.
Or either of her siblings, while I love Pouncestep, idk about her relationships with either of her parents. Her mentor I think was Snowbird, so she might be more inclined to listen instead of run off to tattle.
Chapter 15
Tigerstar II doesn’t deserve loyalty.
And they can try and kill him.
As following the new “code,” won’t work in that regard.
Also yes, please fight! It’ll thin ThunderClan’s background characters if cats died.
Or at least force them into early retirement.
You two have slowly grown brains but you’re still stupid.
How is “Eating RiverClan prey, barely seeing them, choosing one of their own apprentices’s mentor and giving her to Puppetlight, and leaving Puppetwing and Cloverfoot in charge of RiverClan… actually helping RiverClan in the long term?”
That’s right, it does absolutely nothing.
Depose Tigerstar II already, summon the owls so they can finish their job.
The crows can even peck at his guts.
He isn’t grabbing for power, what is moving in some of your warriors, deputy, and eating their food, doing?
RiverClan’s become an unfriendly vacation spot for Tigerstar II.
And to Nightheart’s second task, time to see what that time element was about.
That certainly involves timing. I’m a bit disappointed it’s not entirely ShadowClan related though, so Berryheart’s losing points there.
Ironically, Nightheart has messed with Twolegs before, in terms of eating their food. So, this task is up his alley.
And neither Tigerstar II or Dovewing fought that hard in the end, so their hearts weren’t in fighting for Nightheart.
I’d have expect Dovewing to complain more but nah.
Still a poor test, very disappointed.
This could have been following and sneaking up on a very alert cat or something of that nature.
I wonder if the dog is in the tent?
The dog was in the tent.
Dang it, if only Berryheart had decided the dog would count. Then I’d be free of one pov that isn’t supportive of Berryheart’s views on Tigerstar II. Even if Sunbeam is disagreeing more, Nightheart isn’t.
At least the dog is small which is kinda what I was guessing anyway.
Awwww, they’re playing tug of war!
Berryheart does not control where the small dog goes.
Only the dog and the Twoleg does that.
And here’s Tigerstar II, throwing away some valuable loot.
The blanket can be heavily rolled in herbs and added to a nice nest for the kits or Oakfur.
But nah, toss it, he says.
And while I wish you success, Berryheart. Nightheart is going to prove your point with being disloyal and leave ShadowClan anyway. For some reason, i don’t know why they leave. I just know they do, which is going to be dumb. Keep them in separate clans so I’m not being mad at the same background character for most of their chapters. (Which in ThunderClan’s case is Squirrelflight. Both she and Tigerstar II need to go plummet off a rock, skulls first. I doubt StarClan can do brain surgery to save Tigerstar II…)
Chapter 16
Yay, fish training!
This is the kinda stuff we missed out on which could have been avoided if we had a Mistpaw or Graypaw pov, instead we’re stuck with Nightheart.
And you claimed you didn’t have visions, well you’re getting one now.
And while you’re awake, no less!
Killed by a Clanmate! Sadly not Lightleap as cool as that would have been.
I feel Reedwhisker making a StarClan appearance was unnecessary. This should be like Redtail and another RiverClan cat should have appeared. Maybe Willowshine instead?
This arc with Reedwhisker just has some nice throwbacks to OS and it should be leaning on that, a bit more.
Speak to a cat with actual StarClan experience, Mothwing is useless in this regard.
I misread Mallownose as Minnowtail, took a second, but not her!
Have you been eating trash?
That’s a very stupid question Mothwing, I think Frostpaw would know if she had eaten crowfood.
Ya’know they’d help you if you had a connection to StarClan. But you don’t Mothwing. The Moonpool was a free nap for you, for years.
You can’t complain about them when you lacked a belief in them. You should have believed in the first place considering how vital having a connection to StarClan is, for a medicine cat.
The darkness is the cousin you’re weirdly in love with.
Go talk to a medicine cat with a StarClan connection, as mentioned previously, Mothwing is useless.
The bit she could have had use, she ignored. If she had considered Reedwhisker’s wounds more, she’d have been more helpful to the situation. But nope!
Chapter 17
Gathering time!
Go. Mingle. With. Other. People.
I already have to deal with you being with Nightheart in both of your chapters.
Gathering scenes are supposed to be fun and letting us see character interaction between Clans or other characters we don’t get to see very often.
Go talk to someone else than someone that lives in your own Clan! D:
Go talk to someone from WindClan, do anything else!
And while she says this, we haven’t really seen her talk to anyone else but Nightheart…
And I hope a battle happens so we can lose some of the older cats since they refuse to retire. *Shoves Crowfeather and Squirrelflight and others well past their prime into a blender/ the elder’s den.*
Of course Berryheart was right. This is a by-gone conclusion that no one has considered, for some reason. Cats that abandon their Clans for any reason must face the fact they will one day injure or kill their former family or cats close to their family members.
Tawnypelt killed her brother’s only apprentice and didn’t bat an eye in doing so. (And I imagine losing said only apprentice likely didn’t do much to help Bramblestar’s mental health.)
So I hope Nightheart’s fine with ripping one of his Clanmates to shreds, physically.
Ugh, this is another issue.
I want to hear the reports of the other Clans, I want to see how everyone else is doing.
Not for the narrative to skip over everyone else’s announcements to hear Tigerstar II spew trash from his mouth.
Ugh…
They’re making gathering chapters into a snooze fest when they’re supposed to be these fun chapters that would then lead into drama at the end, depending on an announcement.
But they’re skipping the fun stuff and straight to the drama and it’s absolutely boring.
Hawkwing, while SkyClan is still new and doesn’t belong here, I’d rather you not take the duo of deputy loudmouths that talk out of turn into a trio.
Pipe down.
Although Tigerstar II mentioning prey is running well in both Clans, yeah, because ShadowClan has been sampling RiverClan’s…
We are helping by feasting on their food and threatening murder.
They haven’t done crap.
StarClan has MISREPRESENTED your intentions?!
This is a takeover and I bet they’re kicking themselves over reviving your stupid tail.
You were meant to be owl food. Without StarClan, you would be bird chow. Don’t go talking about how they’re misrepresenting your intentions, you took over RiverClan because you were sad.
You were a sad little baby that blamed RiverClan for your son’s death.
But now your son is in StarClan, are you saying your precious little Rowankit is misrepresenting your intentions? That your father and siblings are misrepresenting your intentions?
I think they know your lying tail very well, Tigerstar II. And I hope you rot in the Dark Forest like good ole’ granddad.
And of course, Puppetwing is doing her part in ensuring Tigerstar II keeps his claws in their territory. Ugh, I don’t see how anyone wants her as RiverClan’s next leader. Sure, she’s level headed and a decent candidate but she will roll over and let Tigerstar II do whatever he wants for ShadowClan.
If there was some border trouble with prey, she’d let ShadowClan have it.
She’s simply not a good option for RiverClan leadership, she’s an okay deputy at best.
And there’s the trio.
I can’t remember off the top of my head if Mallownose is related to Splashtail or not, maybe he’s part of the conspiracy?
And here comes deputy loudmouth number 2, even if he is making good points for once.
Still, this should be something asked by HareSTAR not Crowfeather.
Leafstar is entirely correct.
Frostpaw shouldn’t be blamed, even if she is now receiving accurate visions…
And ShadowClan needs to get out of RiverClan territory…
Good on Frostpaw for also standing up to Crowfeather although I’d prefer she hadn’t.
What a sight it would have been for the two to start fighting and any luck, both would die.
WindClan would get a non super old deputy and we’d finally lose Tigerstar II.
Oh, happy days, unfortunately no.
Twigbranch, you’re also not your leader.
Be quiet.
Yes, please, attack him.
Cloverfoot is literally sleeping in Mistystar’s den when she could have a Nursery or Elder’s Den instead.
She is not advising and she should be home. And preferably replacing you, Tigerstar II.
You could literally just leap and push him out of the tree. He’d hit his head or break his spine, he’d be dead.
Do it and all of the problems with ShadowClan’s occupation of RiverClan are solved.
Harestar, go murder people.
And of course, Bramblestar is going to be at his nephew’s defense, I imagine…
So it’s SkyClan against ShadowClan.
Although I think Leafstar alone with RiverClan could launch a decent attack. It’s a war on both borders and ShadowClan would have little choice but to leave…
And here’s the last loudmouth deputy blurting out of her place.
If only Frostpaw could pacify you, too.
She always contradicts him, she has no thoughts for any actual decorum or a United front.
She’s a worthless deputy that deserved to have her rank stripped from her back in SQH.
And now all of the loud-mouth deputies are fighting.
But I want fighting. I want Tigerstar II to be dead and the Clans to be thinned out a bit. I want your wife on a pike.
Because RiverClan has to be the one to do it and by RiverClan I meant, Frostpaw.
Chapter 18
It’s almost like your actions have consequences.
Be ready to rip out your sister’s ear soon.
Unfortunate that I’m only getting violence because of Squirrelflight not knowing what the deputy role is. But Harestar didn’t pick a good option either. (I feel Hawkwing was a good option for the gorge like Leafstar’s past deputies but not a good option amongst the other Clans.)
The difference between being trapped in the Dark Forest for moons and being a show-boating slug.
Bramblestar does need a break in the form of the elder’s den or at the very least a deputy that won’t constantly argue with him in front of the other Clans.
She did this in SQH and now she’s doing it in front of the warriors of other Clans.
And you’re also kin to both of them, why are you just now realizing your great grandpa and your cousin are related?
Shame, there probably won’t be any actual deaths.
Wouldn’t it be grand for my biggest side character problems to take themselves out?
Then I could enjoy Sunbeam’s pov a bit more!
Nightheart is trash, he is not enjoyable until he regains the self-awareness he displayed back in River. Which he won’t.
It was dumb to try and ambush the Clan that’s known for night ambushes at night.
You should have done this at Dawn.
YES.
This is making me so giddy, these are the consequences of betraying your birth Clan for any reason.
Having to face them in battle, even worse that his sister and mother are volatile and specifically being venomous towards him. Because it is 100% deserved because he did betray ThunderClan.
Awwww, it was only a dream.
I’m sad, I wanted violence and the vitriol deserved here.
Yes, you’re supposed to ignore her.
This is a bad idea, let’s not do this.
Sorrelstripe!
And where was this positive connection back in River? All you focused on was Finchlight, Bayshine, and Sparkpelt. But you actually had a positive influence that you didn’t speak too? :/
What respect? You certainly didn’t have respect for Lionblaze when you were being an edgy brat. Yes, I’m bringing the squirrel incident back up. Nightheart should have died to a squirrel and Tigerstar II should have died to that owl. My reading experience would have improved exponentially.
Acknowledge the father-daughter bond between Sorrelstripe and Lionblaze!
Also Moleclaw exhibiting harsh Hollytuft behavior. (She is vicious.)
Don’t have respect for her, she doesn’t do her job well.
Also I’m not surprised they took him straight to Squirrelflight instead, this was a very poor plan.
He was better off just trying to sneak to Bramblestar instead.
Good to see the bias that he applies to his nephew will also extend to his ShadowClan grandson.
And this explains why he’s randomly distant in conversation, he had a very traumatic experience that no cat has gone through. Much less made it back from.
He deserves retirement but that also means I’m stuck with Squirrelflight as leader since she also refuses to die or retire…
Let it drain her strength so she can also retire!
Pinestar! Ironically your and Nightheart’s Ancestor. Bramblestar’s grandfather and Nightheart’s great great grandfather.
No, he has a stupid deputy just like Rowanstar had a stupid deputy.
He’s also your grandpa and he deserves someone who’s willing to understand him for once.
She will be proven correct when Nightheart and Sunbeam randomly move to ThunderClan, plaguing me with more Squirrelflight screentime.
Time to go murder your former kin!
It’s also disheartening to read but entirely understandable as to why Bramblestar is the way he is, now. It is annoying that he won’t discuss it with Squirrelflight but knowing her, she would make it into some huge argument and Bramblestar would badly disassociate.
Chapter 19
Well, you chose three cats that didn’t do it. Duskfur, I’m pleased was among them.
Why aren’t they fishing?
What season is this again? Leaf-fall?
Scorchfur is an acceptable casualty, although I doubt he’s dying.
And good on RiverClan for finding ways to Rebel even if they’re small, unfortunately it can’t be Tigerstar II’s prey as that’s their true enemy.
Let’s not trust Splashtail…
Why can’t you talk to your siblings instead?
Maybe, Graypaw?
Huzzah, it is leaf-fall!
Splashtail’s response makes me think he didn’t do it. Maybe Curlfeather was Reedwhisker’s killer?
Alas, I don’t think she makes it since she gets attacked by Splashtail.
I wish she would have thought, that would have saved us a journey book. (Also robs us of the best character for a brief journey arc.)
Chapter 20
Partially true but no cigar!
I don’t agree with the egg section as ShadowClan aren’t renown climbers, that’s a SkyClan thing.
Fighting off rats is a wonderful echo to Carrionplace so I’m pleased that’s in there. Catching three pieces is fine as there is no specification as to a type of prey.
He could just bring back three dead rats and be good.
I also do agree with Berryheart that these tasks are supposed to be difficult. You’re letting in an enemy warrior into your Clan on the off-chance that they remain forever in love with who they picked. (Even then, they could still go running off via the loyalties to their birth Clan as Nightheart is doing by being late.)
He has some brains after all!
Of course, a squirrel! Good thing he didn’t lose to this one.
Oh, he did fail!
Huh, from all of the comments, I imagined he had succeeded here.
And he has chosen his Clan over her, a difficult decision that many cats who end up in forbidden love, must do.
The downside of this is, I now have to deal with Squirrelflight but it’s better than being consistently mad at Tigerstar II for three whole povs…
Welp, we didn’t have a ThunderClan pov for nearly a whole book, not that it mattered as Nightheart didn’t interact with a lot of ShadowClan cats, which is very annoying.
Chapter 21
And back to ThunderClan, with it being the same day, I imagine they’ll take him in.
Even if they don’t, SkyClan and WindClan might. The former more than the latter, Leafstar is used to taking in strays.
Of course, your grandmother Lilyheart would be on your side, grandma Squirrelflight is a different story though.
Not that you pay attention to Larksong’s side of the family at all…
Eaglewing, yay!
And a swap from Molewhisker earlier in the day with Cherryfall, who, in theory should be nicer.
Eaglewing showing she’s grown a bit but still Carrie’s some of her traits she did back in SQH. (I imagine her sister would be more ruthless if Plumstone even gets screentime.)
Technically you are Flameheart still. Although your suffix definitely could have been anything else as you’re not the apex of loyalty.
I can think of plenty of cats that would be a better fit for ThunderClan over a second “My way or the highway,” leader in charge.
Squirrelflight is as bad as Tigerstar II.
She loves the Sisters not her Clan.
And Squirrelflight remains hard on the kin she so badly wanted.
Nightheart’s life May have been a bit better if Sparkpelt had never been a true mother to her kids, lost in her grief while her mother got to raise her grandkits. At least Gladekit would have been better for him than Flamekit.
Chapter 22
And presumably this is when Frostpaw gets attacked?
I wish she had a better ending chapter, this feels like it’ll be short to give Nightheart more screentime…
Isn’t Splashtail supposed to be with you?
You’re an apprentice, not a warrior.
And they could have given that line to a WindClan cat with less screentime than Breezepelt.
Splashtail went straight for the kill there.
Shame, Frostpaw didn’t get to speak with Whistlepaw though. I was wanting more WindClan screentime than just Breezepelt.
I’m also still irritated by how short this chapter is compared to the more annoying povs. (Sunbeam is fine usually, I just have to deal with Tigerstar II.)
Chapter 23
All of these chapters are short! I was glancing at page numbers.
This must be a dream, there’s no way there’s been a gathering this quickly.
Pouncestep!
And now we see what Sunbeam considers more attractive and a better match than her. A silver she-cat with blue eyes.
Being alone is fine but I do think there could be other options than dumb Nightheart!
Berryheart, now is not the time and it’s too soon.
Speaking of another cat, I want dead.
Go fall down a hole and break your neck, Lightleap.
Some nice characterization for both Pouncestep and Snaketooth out of it!
Snaketooth really needs more screentime considering she’s Sunbeam’s former mentor.
Not anymore!
Unfortunately.
You could, at literally any time or day, conqueror.
RiverClan would have responded this way regardless of Berryheart’s intervention, Sunbeam.
Two toms, two she-cats.
I’m just annoyed that Lightleap is among them but of course he’d pick his favorite daughter.
Well, at least I’ll have a very short RiverClan pov until Sunbeam moves to ThunderClan. ThunderClan needs less cats, not more.
Chapter 24
And a final Nightheart chapter. And then I get a vacation from him with reading RH.
And gaze upon more treachery. The tasks should not be so spread out and now Nightheart is revealing ShadowClan hunting secrets to ThunderClan…
It is still something the other Clans will take advantage of, especially with how quick Squirrelflight is to get angry.
While I do think Bramblestar should retire, Squirrelflight is a horrible option to replace him.
Not to mention she won’t stand for a deputy that tries to talk sense into her and Ivypool is hardly a “Yes man,” that she needs.
Stormcloud dialogue!
Sunbeam at least is now living in RiverClan soyou won’t have to worry about attacking her. And you never interacted with either of her brothers or father, only Berryheart.
And here I was hoping you’d wait a book before moving to ThunderClan…
First Tigerstar II all book and now Squirrelflight…
And your grandmother, yeesh acknowledge your dad’s side, at all!
Have fun killing your family, Sunbeam!
And the cycle of she-cats moves to tom’s Clan continues. :/
Not one of the three couples moved to the she-cat’s Clan. All of the she-cats compromised for the tom even when it would have worked better for SpireXFringe for Spireclaw to move to SkyClan.
Fernstripe moved to Shellfur’s Clan and hasn’t even had any speaking lines. So their relationship might as well not have existed with Nightheart’s insistent “Me, me, me,” in relation to his povs in TC.
And this is why you shouldn’t have come, Sunbeam.
I doubt it but I enjoy the potential drama of Sunbeam killing Lightleap on the battlefield or the latter dies to her injuries.
Just the prices to pay for the forbidden love, it was against the code for a reason.
Just because you’re all in peace time doesn’t mean you get to forget you’ll be chewing through the cats that raised you.
And with Nightheart growing a few brain cells with that prayer, I come to the end of Shadow.
The book itself was enjoyable but it is filled with numerous missed opportunities to expand the pov characters with other Clanmates. Or make mention of other characters that we haven’t seen, such as in WindClan.
It once again suffers from poor timeskips when we should be shown such mishaps such as Nightheart interacting with other ShadowClan cats to see how they feel about him or Sunbeam’s time in RiverClan. But nope!
My issues with gatherings are also not new and I had been noting that since the last arc as well.
PO3 was really the best arc for these things and makes me sorely wish we had gotten Graypaw and Mistpaw as replacement povs for Sunbeam and Nightheart.
We would have seen more of RiverClan and had different viewpoints between the three siblings considering Icewing is the mentor of Mistpaw.
(I utterly failed all of the goals I set. A lack of time and motivation has really stunted my long-form reading. Anyway, I want to out of the singular chapters before I begin adding more to this post. But I wanted to set the thread back up before then. Also no spoilers for later books even if I do have a rough estimation of some events in Wind and Thunder.)
Prologue
And didn’t expect for the Prologue to open with Berryheart’s near death at the paws of Darktail. I can’t remember if she’s supposed to be pregnant in this scene or if she discovers so later. Considering the age difference between her litter and Dovewing’s it’s likely she and Sparrowtail mated while they were both in exile/on the run.
Also ShadowClan’s had a fairly long history of being ruined by outsiders on various levels: Sol, Darktail, Tigerstar I, all outsiders so Berryheart does have a very realistic and believable fear. Doesn’t apply to Fringewhisker but knowing that Berryheart was one of the near drowned cats, her trauma is rather intense. And she’s just one of the few that got away which was likely paramount to her success. If any of her Clanmates had succeeded like she did, Darktail definitely would be slicing throats before sending the bodies into the deep.
She must also be where RC and SC’s borders kinda connect, at least in relation as to how I have imagined Tigerstar II and Dovewing’s route to the Guardian cats.
I miss the Guardian cats.
Chapter 1
Frostpaw! Yay, Frostpaw! I was worried I’d be opening into a Nightheart chapter.
Ah, the immediate aftermath of Tigerstar II’s takeover, great.
To be fair, you couldn’t predict dogs eating your mom, Frostpaw. So I wouldn’t exactly count that as a failure. Owlwhisker was a very poor choice and everyone dropped the ball on that one. (Good job, Mothwing)
“I want hunting patrols. Not all of you are badly hurt.”
And who hurt them, Tigerstar II? Who hurt them?
Who nearly killed grandma Duskfur because he wants to be like his namesake so bad?
And let’s desecrate another Clan’s gathering spot while we’re at it, Tigerstar II. Get your claws out of the Highstump.
You’re here because you want to take your anger out on something and believe your StarClan’s gift to the Clans, owl-food.
No, Harelight! If everyone attacks Tigerstar II together, I can be free of him! Surely, one of you can rip into his underbelly if you all attack at once!
Lights in the Mist, I hate that dumb title.
It is totally fair, Icewing. It IS Owlnose’s fault. If he had bothered with attending the ceremony, RiverClan could potentially even have answers as to who the next leader should be.
But nope, got cold paws.
But I do agree with Icewing that now isn’t the time, even if I do want everyone to charge Tigerstar II and rip him apart.
The Clan does need two healers right now who can tend to wounds after a coup.
“This is not a conquest.” You came in, nearly killed a senior warrior of RiverClan, and started barking orders. Don’t give me this wasn’t a “conquest,” nonsense.
Leaving your deputy specifically is a bit of a dumb move, Tigerstar II. Who’s going to organize the patrols while she’s gone?
I’m glad there’s one cat here who accepts that I’ll lord over you. Is more like it.
I also agree with Duskfur, you’re only choosing Icewing because she’ll listen to ShadowClan as she owes ShadowClan, her life.
Splashtail also hasn’t had an apprentice, choose Breezeheart instead. She needs screentime and is mentoring an apprentice.
I find it funny that Frostpaw’s thought process implies that Mothwing isn’t a real medicine cat.
Is this talk going to be about a future as Icestar, Icewing?
Chapter 2
It was a conquest, it was always going to come to blows, Sunbeam.
Berryheart is correct up until the point of outsiders. The only large group right now is the Sisters and they migrate too much, they’re not going to be an issue. Although Sleekwhisker and the Kin remnants are a possibility, of course, that isn’t who Berryheart is referring too. She’s referring to Fringewhisker.
Hopefully they’ll invade ShadowClan and kill Tigerstar II or beat him up, both are too much for me to hope for. But I can dream for a Cloverstar leadership.
Me suffering through more Nightheart screen-time, that’s what is going on, Sunbeam.
And now he’s lying to Gullswoop.
Someone drag him out of camp, please!
At least Gullswoop is uninterested because of food or she just doesn’t believe Nightheart.
Likely the former.
Yes, thank you. Berate him for his foolishness and not even telling you about it.
No, no, you should have snapped at him. He deserves it.
You don’t even know if you want a mate and here he’s waltzed in, loudly spoke to people about both of you being mates, when you don’t even like him in such a manner.
It was not.
He wants an escape from TC.
Berryheart, calm down. This is the opposite of Spireclaw’s situation, although the factor of Nightheart being more trouble than Fringewhisker is… more of a reasonable concern, tbh. (More in the fact that he’ll get himself killed like Lightleap and Blazefire or needlessly argue with ShadowClan cats.)
Using Fringewhisker was not a good argument, just mention to Berryheart that you didn’t even ask him to join ShadowClan. This was his idea.
Why suffer heat when you can reasonably and honestly throw Nightheart under the bus, as he deserves?
These are all reasonable concerns and the last thing is why I’ve been hating this whole Clan-switching.
Chapter 3
Why couldn’t I have been present for Tawnypelt screentime? At least make his pov bearable.
And why bring Nightheart, an untested ThunderClan warrior to an emergency gathering? Do you want to throw your weight around at your uncle and be all: Look, who has your grandson!
This is very poor political decision making but I imagine Tigerstar II is too busy fawning over himself to realize that.
And yes, because hostile conquest and nearly murdering a senior warrior to get RiverClan to further surrender is… reasonable.
And yes, Tigerstar II is behaving like good old grandad or great grandad in your case, Nightheart.
Did Fringewhisker tell?
Famous grandpa, Leafstar. Ancestor is being it like Tigerstar I was around when Mapleshade was alive,
He says as he takes over RiverClan like the first Tigerstar. Just instead of swaying his hips for Leopardstar, he nearly killed Duskfur. (I’ve never read Tigerclaw’s Fury so I’m guessing his charisma did him some favors as usual.)
I’m helping by invading, putting my deputy or puppet RiverClan cats in charge, see?
That does not explain at all, what happened. You only found that out AFTER you conquered RiverClan.
I don’t feel sorry for Owlnose, even trying to meet at the Moonpool could have gotten RiverClan something. Silence or even word that he wasn’t leader would have been better options.
Help and advice, he says when he caused the people he was advising to bleed and need healing.
We attacked them in their camp, that proves they can’t defend themselves.
Unbelievable fox-dung. This is almost Brokenstar levels of talk considering he drove out WindClan instead of lording over them.
(Also RC and SC later on in Fire and Ice if TC hadn’t helped out.)
And if they don’t accept it, you’ll actually kill one of their warriors this time, right?
He has no good reason for what he has done, stupid, brainless, Nightheart.
Also notice one of your warrior ancestors IS Tigerstar I and Oakstar, who I imagine might be very pleased that RiverClan is broken and that most of Appledusk’s descendants are dead.
Thank you, Bramblestar for pointing that out!
And why did you have to bother speaking? Sit down, the leaders are talking! You don’t hear Crowfeather yapping, do you? Sit and shut up with your fellow loud mouth.
Once again, showing how TC is fractured and Squirrelflight is too impudent to be a deputy, let alone a leader.
And he’s letting his puppet do the talking. Mothwing, do anything instead of being a dead bug on a log!
At least TC and SkyClan don’t believe Icewing, a relief.
And they weren’t injured by another Clan, Nightheart, that’s the positive.
Probably peacefully and I’d have less of a headache with Squirrelflight around.
Yes, another cat who can’t hear StarClan, aka your son.
And Puddleshine, while he has a StarClan connection, I doubt RiverClan would listen to him.
Stop ordering people around and go choke on a mouse.
Frankly, I feel Alderheart would be best as it could remind Mothwing of Leafpool. (Although I do want some WindClan action regardless.)
I’m not surprised by Bramblestar being indecisive when it comes to his nephew, yet again. He’s allowed his kin to cloud his senses before and he’s doing it now. If this was Harestar’s decision making, Bramblestar would likely be responding differently.
Also for all of Squirrelflight’s yapping, Leafstar isn’t going to do anything. It’s like an annoying ginger fly with a white wing buzzing around.
I would also like that better, Berryheart.
I also agree with her that the tests need to be more difficult and include the skills of the new Clan. ShadowClan has the perfect examples of stealth, ambushes in shadows, and night hunting.
And here’s the other peanut gallery, hi Crowfeather.
A good idea from Finchlight as long as the tasks aren’t super easy and miss the point.
And he missed the point, entirely. Good job, Nightheart!
Chapter 4
Yay, sibling time!
Both Sunbeam and Frostpaw should have more sibling screen time.
Yay, Breezeheart appearance! Icewing’s here too.
Ah! So you haven’t had your potential Icestar discussion then?
And Breezeheart immediately gets misgendered, great. She’s a she-cat, not a Tom. :/
Why are you eating squirrel? Don’t you have fish around?
Duskfur I agree with but I know she retires later. Icewing, I would have agreed with but I feel she’d bow down to Tigerstar II if RiverClan were to get in any future conflicts with ShadowClan. So she’s out too.
Why not Shimmerpelt or Breezeheart though? (Breezeheart has the exact training as her mother, Icewing, with one apprentice, which is one of your littermates, Frostpaw. Same qualifications as Icewing and not a puppet for Tigerstar II.)
(If I feel her name wouldn’t be confusing for later, I’d call her Puppetwing but alas.)
I now can’t remember if StarClan actually chose her to choose someone unlikely, it’s been a bit since I finished Sky.)
So the other ShadowClan cat in camp is a Tom!
Medicine cat apprentices ARE supposed to learn self-defense. Which Frostpaw’s should be especially potent as Mothwing was a former warrior but she clearly doesn’t rank very high as a decent mentor to Frostpaw, at all.
I’m still enjoying the much needed sibling interactions between the three! Love Graypaw and Mistpaw!
Choose someone experienced that won’t get cold feet, even a brief meeting with StarClan would be more knowledge than right now.
Now I’m picturing all of RiverClan’s warriors lined up outside of the Moonpool to see who StarClan selects to be leader…
Ah, and here comes useless. Hi, Shadowsight, I didn’t want to deal with his holiness’s son. (Pouncestep is the only one I care for in that litter.)
Medicine cats have some bit of power within the Clan, even speaking out against dear old dad could have done something, Frostpaw.
He deserves as much dung as his Clanmates.
“How are you all coping?” They were invaded. She was literally tending a wound that ShadowClan caused on one of RiverClan’s warriors, Shadowsight, you have eyes.
Glad that the book remembers Shadowsight is a tabby as idk if that’s prevalent within fandom artwork.
I wish RiverClan had had a warrior apprentice POV as we would have learned more about cats like the elders easier, even if RC only has Mosspelt.
Oooooh! Potentially no Icewing leader then if she’s thinking about retiring?
Yes; so he can move back in. Icewing was probably the last cat to tell this too, since she’s going to go be her puppet self to Tigerstar II.
You can just tell him nothing and keep waiting around. Can you consider the Congo line of RiverClan warriors at the Moonpool? It is a funny but good idea!
As for Frostpaw’s visions, I do think some of them are not coincidental and she IS getting them from somewhere.
I’m still upset we didn’t get said warriors names…
Yes, because that’s the best thing to tell him. Good job, Icewing.
That is a funny suggestion, Frostpaw. And while I am prone to violence and dead Tigerstar II, just throwing all of the problems at him until he gives up, is funny.
It doesn’t but I’m not surprised you’re using it for a justification.
You’re not even RiverClan cats anymore, you’re just ShadowClan now.
Wow.
Yep, totally not a conquest.
Tigerstar II May as well move his queens, kits, and elders into camp too at this rate. He has two houses, he should use them.
Temporary can easily become permanent, mouse-brain.
Except you’re not their leader. By normal logic, they should be treating Mothwing like their leader not a random other Clan who shouldn’t even be here.
Kill him! There’s a max of six ShadowClan cats present, just launch yourself at Tigerstar II and rip his throat out eight times.
And for once I agree with Mothwing, I also told you so.
I didn’t expect her to be a warrior apprentice so soon? Huh! I expected that to occur near the end of the book but nope.
Chapter 5
Most kin should be angry that their family member is choosing to fight and potentially kill their family members because they chose some random guy/gal more, Sunbeam.
To be fair, Cloverfoot lives in RiverClan and Tigerstar II might be out making controversial remarks, hence leave Berryheart in charge.
Nightheart being all: Your mom is not bad compared to my maternal Grandma and the rest of my family.
While I do agree that Fringewhisker did need a more proper test than moving a log, something anyone but WindClan could potentially do on their own. She’s a bit grandfathered in at this point. But if she fails, FringeXSpire can move to SkyClan, which is where I’d prefer them to be.
I appreciate Berryheart being mature and speaking calmly to Spireclaw in this moment, at least.
Tasks that are kinda needed Sunbeam, you can’t expect every enemy Clan cat to waltz in with solely love on their minds and they not respond negatively to reasonably suspicious new Clan mates. (Especially if said cats were to share borders as well.)
No, no SunXNight romance, bad. (I’m unfortunately aware of the inevitable.)
Then he’s injured and I’m happy.
I also wish there were more actual borders to look at, all that’s been shown is a burnt tree. Ugh, downside of the lake territories, no substance.
Says the guy who was taken down by a squirrel.
Berryheart, this isn’t a ShadowClan task…
It should be about remaining hidden at night while a small group searches or night hunting to catch lizards and frogs for a few nights.
Not a dumb obstacle course.
Also this is a challenge built for a SkyClan cat, you were better off giving this to a ThunderClan or RiverClan warrior.
Why haven’t you shown her the rest of the territory, Spireclaw???
She’s a new cat, she needs to know all of her territory!
Ugh.
These new cats need to be treated like first day apprentices in regards to learning the new Clan techniques, showing the entire territory, borders, etc.
And Fringewhisker has no excuse for not knowing, she’s been here for at least two moons.
Except Fringewhisker should have known, she’s been in ShadowClan long enough to know the entirety of the territory by now. Along with such a dangerous area, this is entirely on Spireclaw for not teaching his mate everything about ShadowClan’s territory. Not to mention shouldn’t a potentially dangerous area, even if one that is avoided. that has nearly injured one warrior have been spoken of?
This is entirely on Spireclaw’s paws as he should be informing his mate of such things.
Me smacking Spireclaw for being an awful mentor aside, it does at least show ShadowClan that Fringewhisker is capable of not being killed by a snake, like Gullswoop, proving she’s a capable warrior.
A capable warrior that I still feel belongs in SkyClan as I do think Fringewhisker would have made sure Spireclaw was more aware of basic knowledge such as territory in at least two moons of living there.
Chapter 6
Ugh, Nightheart.
I want him to fail but I know he doesn’t do that. Much sadness.
I wonder who designed the task for this one.
As in their strategic discussion, Tigerstar II gave the lame challenge of push a log.
Yes! This is what I’m talking about.
Also Nightheart being cocky and smug, then ya hit him with the fact it needs to be a ShadowClan specific prey. Awesome!
Says the hoping to be ShadowClan cat, better enjoy the taste of frog flesh.
Unlike Fringewhisker, you can pay attention, sometimes, Nightheart… Just to the surrounding area instead of actual communication with any other cat around…
His pride was bruised.
You deserve this!
Ahhh, I love this challenge so much!
While good to attract flies to frogs, this is not respecting the voles at all. So, you’re wasting prey that could be fed to ShadowClan while catching prey that could be fed to ShadowClan…
And now you’re eating prey when the elders and kits haven’t been fed yet, good job Nightheart. Awesome job breaking two codes at once, good thing we’re not in a famine.
Ah, so it was Berryheart to set up the task. If she had phrased her wording, I wouldn’t have to deal with so much Tigerstar II in three chapters. Still, super pleased someone finally did something Clan-centric. We all knew it wasn’t going to be Tigerstar II to do that.
Chapter 7
Frostpaw!
Why don’t we know what the Forest RiverClan’s meeting place is called?
And of course, he’s late…
Really, Tigerstar II… You were never a comedian.
And of the multiple awful things you’ve done in this conquest, I’m at least pleased you didn’t throw your weight around and name them yourself. (I’ll need to make a list of everyone the modern leaders have named, I’m now curious as to who’s the most decent.)
Stop ignoring the senior warrior you nearly murdered, Tigerstar II. This should be Icewing’s decision, even if I feel like Puppetwing would choose Harelight anyway.
Really, Icewing.
You’re practically RiverClan’s deputy right now, the least you could do is pick someone.
Duskfur is also right on that and what I wouldn’t give for Mothwing to have not been stupid in the first book.
It would have been so much more interesting if she had been ripped apart by the dogs instead of Curlfeather.
Good, squash the cousin love! Squish it!
No, go back to squishing it.
Your cousin doesn’t love you, like that…
Or familily, but that’s besides the point.
I greatly enjoy that the three cats responding in a row all have the pelt suffix. Havenpelt, Brackenpelt, and Shimmerpelt.
I do prefer Frostpaw as a medicine cat apprentice but I also know due to spoilers, she’s not exactly going to be a warrior one for very long due to travel time.
NIGHTSKY. GIVE HER TO NIGHTSKY.
MY GIRL!
I say knowing he’s choosing Puppet number 2. *Cries*
Owlnose also would have been a more interesting mentor given his established characterization as a very nervous cat.
But no, Puppetlight, it is.
And no mentor-apprentice dating with your cousin, please stop.
“No, I already have a mentor in mind. My second puppet you see! Puppetlight, you will be Frostpaw’s mentor.”
This is why he didn’t want Icewing doing the choosing but now I kinda wish she did.
Nightsky is one of her kits, she’d have totally chosen her!
And the best Night needs some screentime while Shadow/Thunder’s Night can go fall off a cliff and die. And Wind’s Night can just keep being a background character, Nightcloud hasn’t done much in a while.
Why can’t she be deputy instead of her ex?
I do at least like the fur color mention, I do prefer mentor-apprentice pairs that are similar in fur colors for camouflage purposes. But RiverClan likely had multiple other light furred cats.
Thank you, Duskfur for pointing out my complaints! Totally should have been Nightsky btw.
*Cries in lack of Nightsky and Breezeheart screentime.* I love them so much.
Splashtail was more out of line while I think Duskfur just feels her granddaughter has made the wrong choice. (I doubt she wants to believe Curlfeather had been incorrect so likely some level of grief related to Frostpaw’s decision.)
Another reason as to why Puppetlight was probably a poor choice, not that Tigerstar II knows who has and has not mentored in RiverClan… which is why a RiverClan cat should have made the choice.
(Nightsky also hasn’t mentored anyone but that didn’t stop Mistystar from choosing her sister as a mentor for one of her siblings either.)
Ah, oooof, poor Mistpaw, she’s been thinking on this hard.
Also love the sibling interactions! (I really wish Mist and Gray were main characters. Or even swap one apprentice out for Sunbeam’s pov. I’m already stuck dealing with Tigerstar II in all three povs.)
It really should have been Mothwing that was torn apart, she was utterly stupid to send just Frostpaw and Curlfeather alone.
But I’ve beaten this should-be corpse of Mothwing enough, I’m curious to see if Graypaw has also made that connection or not, as well.
Chapter 8
Why Lightleap? Why can’t you be with Pouncestep, the non Tigerclone and best TigerXDove kit?
Of course, Tigerstar II is behind this. Your gender-bent clone is allowed to not have friends, you know!
And now we’re stealing prey from RiverClan.
Good, not only did we nearly murder a senior warrior, now we’re stealing from our conquered enemy.
You’ll throw yourself or Sunbeam into a thorn bush, of course no one wants to hunt with you.
I’m glad Sunbeam is thanking StarClan even if she is actively stealing prey.
Duskfur is correct!
I’d be more happy if you were fighting Lightleap as killing her would be more fun than fighting Sunbeam.
Although very poor on Sunbeam to just invoke Cloverfoot’s name, she really does not mind that ShadowClan has just conquered RiverClan, at all.
Or they can just attack you and rip Lightleap’s head off. I doubt the editors would have the guts to kill another protagonist, so I’m guessing Sunbeam will be safe.
Even with Lightleap here, a patrol is typically made up of four cats.
They have zero rights to be making these claims and Lightleap is really proving she’s a chip off the old block.
Sunbeam, you can’t invoke names and then cut them off before they have a chance to say anything.
Duskfur also phrased that very well when talking to Icewing and Cloverfoot, love that.
“We’re trying to help you by invading your land and eating your food! And our leader nearly killing you, this is all help!”
ShadowClan wouldn’t know help if it smacked them upside the face.
I am more inclined to agree with Duskfur that it’s forbidden and against the code.
But Puppetwing isn’t being too much of a puppet without Tigerstar II around.
A decent compromise and nicely pointed out by Mothwing so Icewing doesn’t throw this solely in ShadowClan’s favor.
Although realistically, ShadowClan shouldn’t be hunting at all.
“We’re only here to help after my dad nearly killed one of your Clanmates, forcing you into a surrender!”
Lightleap is severely dumb but again likely believes father dearest can do no wrong. Even when her grandmother compared him to Tigerstar I.
And that’s her response, daddy is too strong?
Daddy should have been dead to an owl and we’d never be in this situation.
“It’s not our problem RiverClan lacks a connection to StarClan but we should be allowed to eat their food, because that’s “helping,”
The hypocrisy from Lightleap is maddening.
Also very missed opportunity to not have Sunbeam and Frostpaw to interact on screen and just timeskip them back to ShadowClan.
No wonder this chapter feels so short.
And I kinda wish these events were shown instead of told. Lizardtail also fighting Owlnose does make me think he would have been better off as Frostpaw’s mentor. He’d have a reason to be away from his Clanmates that are understandably prickly with him after getting cold feet and failing to even go to the Moonpool.
And I expected worse of Cloverfoot’s treatment in RiverClan but it makes sense they’d do petty things to the invader left in charge.
And if she was afraid to sleep in the warrior’s den, she could have gone to RiverClan’s empty Nursery or shared the Elder’s Den with Mosspelt. It would have given the elder some screen time at the very least and Cloverfoot wouldn’t be doing some high form of disrespect to Mistystar.
And Lightleap knew her feelings were true because she was fine with horribly stabbing Sunbeam in the back and didn’t care too much.
If she cared a lot, she wouldn’t have pursued it until SunXBlaze broke up naturally or the former died, simple as that.
Chapter 9
Once again, I would have liked these scenes to be more shown!
Best girl! There she is, Pouncestep!
Why not show Pouncestep and Gullswoop interactions?
Instead we jump immediately into Berryheart conflict.
I want to hear Pouncestep’s opinion and Gullswoop is likely a positive presence with Nightheart. But no, let’s skip that apparently…
Yarrowleaf, it’s also interesting that once again, Nightheart’s fiercer opponents are she-cats, although here his foes are very real instead of imagined nonsense because he can’t take that he’s responsible for some of his own actions, I am still not over him showing he can display self-awareness and then immediately dropping it in favor of blaming others, Squirrelflight’s meddling, not withstanding, of course... (I believe a majority of Berryheart’s Allies are she-cats as well but that would require a head count.)
Good job, dummy. Don’t interrupt the mother in law when she’s trying to speak.
Although it is nice to have the inverse example as usually it’s the wives that deal with awful mother-in-laws, in most fiction.
I do enjoy this conversation as this is entirely reasonable of Berryheart to do given her more paranoid manner. Sunbeam is also her only other daughter and she never got to have this discussion with Needletail’s ex-mate, Rain.
Stop being angry, dummy; that’s not how this works or goes.
And Berryheart has a point. No cat that moved for love deserves to be immediately trusted, if all that’s keeping you in an enemy Clan is a singular relationship then it’s more likely you’re going to betray this Clan once that relationship turns sour or the love interest dies.
In which case, you either betray the Clan your love was in for your birth Clan as a spy or return to your birth Clan.
I have many issues related to the forbidden love angle that are likely, not liked in the slightest.
But back to reading and watching Nightheart shove his paws in his mouth.
Oh, good, he has a brain.
And I still think SpireXFringe should be in SkyClan, she is not too suited for ShadowClan life and SkyClan would likely have been more accepting anyway.
I feel this scene would have been nice juxtaposition if we had seen him interact with Gullswoop and Pouncestep, at all.
But no…
I still want Pouncestep screentime…
Oooooh, second task time!
Please, let it be something relevant to ShadowClan. Not that I have much hope for you, Tigerstar II…
Seriously, now she’s sticking her nose into this?
I don’t want Dovewing screentime.
Dovewing, you haven’t really made right with your birth Clan or kin, considering the last interaction I remember you having, was insulting them but mmkay.
This is still an interesting premise, although it should entirely be within the birth Clan’s right to shred the pelts off of the two trespassers or simply say no, and go on with their day.
Goodbyes catch no prey or herbs.
Dovewing hit the nail on the head with Nightheart at least.
I still wish you would have stayed there instead of being brought back home. Then ShadowClan would still have Rowanstar around.
Ironic as you two are kin. You’re both related.
I do kinda wish another cat accompanied them, having two former Clan cats walk into camp isn’t exactly a good sight. For one, it may confuse the birth Clan into thinking they are returning which could sour emotions more, if they were already heightened.
Dovewing forgets her parents are alive, apparently. Dovewing, surely, you came to visit Whitewing and Birchfall too?
Also once again, you’re both kin.
I’m also not surprised by Lionblaze being pleased to see Dovewing given he trained her. Bit more confused by Cherryfall’s happiness and it’s good that Bumblestripe’s only complaints were for Nightheart.
Look at you, being respectful to Lionblaze for once. If only you could have done that while you were still in ThunderClan…
Leaf-fall!
I forgot what season it was.
Former mentor and your grandmother, brat.
Acknowledge your familial relation! This is your Grandma and you are the spitting image of her only son! This is more than just your former mentor, you’re talking too!
It’s almost like ThunderClan has no apprentices right now and plenty of elders while in ShadowClan, I doubt Oakfur is going to let you touch him…
ShadowClan, seriously needs more elders. Snowbird, go retire!
I also wonder if Sparkpelt’s angry tirade reflects some lingering emotions she has for Larksong as well. He also left her by dying while Nightheart just left.
Good, the demon’s gone and unfortunately not dead.
She was really going to just sit there and supervise this if she hadn’t been pulled away, I imagine.
Always meddling.
I feel Bramblestar had a point with the blackbirds but Nightheart of course, does not pay attention.
The conversation and visit with Bramblestar should have lasted longer.
I also feel if he should have spoken to each cat individually as he hadn’t been able to say much of anything to Bayshine or Finchlight.
Also, where are his aunts?
They’re kin too and also important!
Ugh, so much missed opportunity here!
Chapter 10
Frostpaw, my beloved. Please do not have cousin love or Tigerstar II in this chapter but I doubt I’ll be lucky for either of those…
You should have been taught self defense training, you should already know some of this…
Very annoying that they seem to forget an important skill for medicine cats, they can fight a little. Just not as great as a warrior.
FROSTPAW NO.
NO.
WHY.
YOU ARE AN APPRENTICE.
THIS IS YOUR COUSIN.
DO NOT PASS GO.
You also confessed this right after waking him up, I’d still be groggy right now too.
And a decent response from Splashtail, if only Raggedstar had some level of decency with that subject.
None of those words describe Splashtail.
Pick someone else you’re not related too, please.
Why is her chapter so short!
I want sibling interaction time or see how Cloverfoot’s doing!
Chapter 11
Another task for Fringewhisker, is this Jacques and Susan’s Twoleg Nest?
Fighting either of them would be a good task as vicious kittypets are a rarity.
And I imagine they’d still be alive anyway.
This is a decent idea as ShadowClan is supposed to be able to see in the dark.
I also feel she could just follow the scent of where the onion is strongest or the outside smell is.
This feels too easy.
Wonderful explanation by Berryheart that makes sense for ShadowClan to do, she does these tasks better than Tigerstar II.
Although being underground feels more like a WindClan task.
I still think they should have moved to SkyClan.
But at least Fringewhisker passed.
Dun, dun, dun!
Next task for Nightheart! I hope he fails or dies, even when I know neither of those happen.
Speed, so in another time limit or actual speed?
POUNCESTEP MENTION! Best girl!
Lightleap will get herself and Blazefire killed. Although I’d like Blazefire to live, we need less Tigerkin blood around. So we can throw Lightleap off a cliff.
Nah, he has three other Clans to attempt to join.
He wouldn’t be a rogue, just a very mistrusted Clan cat.
Stop being in love!
Also it’s a very missed opportunity that Sunbeam isn’t going to Spireclaw for advice about this situation, at all…
This could be a good sibling interaction but we’re just not getting it…
Snowbird joins her daughter! I imagine it’s humiliating that all of her grand kids are either destructive or in love with cats from other Clans.
Also notable that Grassheart isn’t with them? Wasn’t she with Berryheart’s gang?
Chapter 12
StarClan-cursed?
Interesting.
And you’re supposed to live here but haven’t even visited one of their territory markers or identify where the other Clan’s border is?
Ugh.
They really need to treat these new cats like apprentices, how are they to learn anything about their new Clan?
Cousin-lover! (This was my response to reading Splashtail’s name, technically it was worse. But I can’t type that here.)
Now why is Grandma Duskfur here? I hope she’s not involved with Splashtail’s greater shenanigans…
And of course they don’t like ShadowClan being on their territory and stealing their food. Stop supporting your conquest, Sunbeam!
Oh, yay!
I approve the reason for this meeting at least. Tigerstar II’s conquest needs to stop being a thing.
Forcing someone into the medicine cat position due to necessity isn’t exactly unheard of.
Puddleshine being one of them.
Why ThunderClan or SkyClan doesn’t loan out either of their cats for the StarClan aspect alone, I don’t know.
ShadowClan can even send Puddleshine as Shadowsight’s about as useful as Mothwing in that regard.
Someone with StarClan training can at least see who could have potential.
He wouldn’t approve of this because you’re in favor of the conquest, even when you weren’t there. He nearly killed Duskfur and forced RiverClan to the point of slaughter to accept his rule.
Ugh, this is what I hate about both Sunbeam and Nightheart, they’re both way too foolish and stupid with accepting Tigerstar II’s way.
Ironically, not against the code. It’s how Mothwing got her job after all, faking a sign and being accepted. StarClan isn’t going to bat an eye about that.
And Sunbeam sees some reason with her mother, good!
She needs to, you can’t go up to Tigerstar II and say he’s wrong.
Not to mention, she has tried.
His own mother comparing him to granddad didn’t even stir him.
The answer is yes.
WindClan and especially SkyClan are probably the most stable of the five Clans.
Chapter 13
Finally, Frostpaw!
Graypaw!
Breezeheart screen time!
I wish you three would actually spend more time together…
And no Breezeheart dialogue, I’m sad now.
Because she needed her own puppet like Hawkfrost needed Mothwing. Except better because you can kinda have visions while Mothwing has bad dream telling skills.
I now want to hear more about kitten dreams because Mistpaw, what even is that.
Riding up the stairs on a Twoleg monster is amazing.
Why couldn’t we have had these three be our protagonists instead of our conquest loving chums in ShadowClan? (Ignoring the fact Sunbeam is slowly growing a conscious but she’s still not down with her mom’s plans. Which is sad.)
No Splashtail mate!
You can be a loyal RiverClan warrior and I hope you’re not a leader, apprenticeless child.
Fishing!
Why can’t Harelight show us fishing scenes?
Stop being in love with your cousin.
Ironically, they wouldn’t lose her healing skills.
Cinderpelt utilized Brightheart’s herbal knowledge in ThunderClam after all.
But I can see Mothwing being more prickly than Cinderpelt, so maybe not.
Graypaw and Mistpaw’s concerns at least come from a mixed place of worry and grief unlike Splashtail.
Stay with your siblings instead!
I want them to have screen time, not your cousin love interest!
Rather ominous ending.
I kinda hope I have a RiverClan pov until the end of the back, it’s a shame I’m losing it in the next two(?) books.
Chapter 14
Nightheart should be doing something more knowledgeable than sunning himself. Go explore the territory or talk to someone you don’t know.
Normally I would agree but you people did make a new dumb code that lets you throw leaders out of that position. As long as the medicine cats and a majority of the Clan agrees, iirc.
Unfortunately, almost everyone would rather lick Tigerstar II’s toes than throw him out of leadership. Plus one of his sons isn’t going to go against his father anyway. He has a quiet a nepotism set-up.
And unlike his uncle, he isn’t plagued with a deputy that doesn’t mind her p’s and q’s, either.
But you talked about your Clan troubles with Nightheart, who was from another Clan…
Berryheart’s response for some reason makes me think her inner monologue is: What if Sunbeam’s pregnant? Lol
I wish you were though, I’d like his dumb tail to be owl-chow.
I wish we had actually gotten to see those interactions at RiverClan’s camp.
It would make this point more notable to the readers.
I also overwhelmingly agree with Berryheart in relation to ShadowClan and RiverClan. (I do feel one of the other Clans should just hand over a medicine cat but I doubt ShadowClan will provide Puddleshine, so it really isn’t ShadowClan’s business to bother when their forested neighbors have two medicine cats with StarClan capabilities.)
Absolutely loving Berryheart’s arguments here and she has plenty of reason to fear that things could go the way she feels it may.
And yes! Squirrelflight’s meddling hypocrisy is noted!
Ugh, I really love Berryheart and I know I’m potentially going to be crushed by some of her later decision making.
Even StarClan disagrees with Tigerstar’s II meddling, damn. Being called out by your Ancestors too and ignoring them. I bet ShadowClan’s Ancestors regret bringing him back from the dead now.
Lights in the Mist, ugh, I hate that stupid title.
None of them deserve it, it should be the cats who journeyed into the Dark Forest.
Lights in the Mist, a load of fox-dung.
Tigerstar II’s warrior name!
And I know it’s a controversial decision with Mistystar demoting her but with Mothwing just not attending half-moon meetings, I feel that decision should have remained.
Outside of healing, gathering herbs, and teaching the healing, Mothwing is pretty useless. Especially in the last two arcs, I feel she would have been better off as just an assistant like Brightheart was.
Yeah, there’s no Darktail, just a stubborn Tigerstar II who isn’t going to listen to anyone but himself.
I feel Berryheart’s group would succeed in their goals if Splashtail wasn’t involve, he’s a poison in the waters.
Also Berryheart gives me a more intensely loyal Mudclaw vibes but without the ambition angle.
If only we saw more of her sister to get a difference in their personality…
But Berryheart definitely shows the extremes of her suffix, heart, a suffix of loyalty.
Ironically, one Nightheart doesn’t represent at all.
Lightleap also thinks that Sunbeam is pregnant. Idk why my brain is jumping to that after the implications of alone talk with mom.
And good, do not talk to Lightleap.
Or either of her siblings, while I love Pouncestep, idk about her relationships with either of her parents. Her mentor I think was Snowbird, so she might be more inclined to listen instead of run off to tattle.
Chapter 15
Tigerstar II doesn’t deserve loyalty.
And they can try and kill him.
As following the new “code,” won’t work in that regard.
Also yes, please fight! It’ll thin ThunderClan’s background characters if cats died.
Or at least force them into early retirement.
You two have slowly grown brains but you’re still stupid.
How is “Eating RiverClan prey, barely seeing them, choosing one of their own apprentices’s mentor and giving her to Puppetlight, and leaving Puppetwing and Cloverfoot in charge of RiverClan… actually helping RiverClan in the long term?”
That’s right, it does absolutely nothing.
Depose Tigerstar II already, summon the owls so they can finish their job.
The crows can even peck at his guts.
He isn’t grabbing for power, what is moving in some of your warriors, deputy, and eating their food, doing?
RiverClan’s become an unfriendly vacation spot for Tigerstar II.
And to Nightheart’s second task, time to see what that time element was about.
That certainly involves timing. I’m a bit disappointed it’s not entirely ShadowClan related though, so Berryheart’s losing points there.
Ironically, Nightheart has messed with Twolegs before, in terms of eating their food. So, this task is up his alley.
And neither Tigerstar II or Dovewing fought that hard in the end, so their hearts weren’t in fighting for Nightheart.
I’d have expect Dovewing to complain more but nah.
Still a poor test, very disappointed.
This could have been following and sneaking up on a very alert cat or something of that nature.
I wonder if the dog is in the tent?
The dog was in the tent.
Dang it, if only Berryheart had decided the dog would count. Then I’d be free of one pov that isn’t supportive of Berryheart’s views on Tigerstar II. Even if Sunbeam is disagreeing more, Nightheart isn’t.
At least the dog is small which is kinda what I was guessing anyway.
Awwww, they’re playing tug of war!
Berryheart does not control where the small dog goes.
Only the dog and the Twoleg does that.
And here’s Tigerstar II, throwing away some valuable loot.
The blanket can be heavily rolled in herbs and added to a nice nest for the kits or Oakfur.
But nah, toss it, he says.
And while I wish you success, Berryheart. Nightheart is going to prove your point with being disloyal and leave ShadowClan anyway. For some reason, i don’t know why they leave. I just know they do, which is going to be dumb. Keep them in separate clans so I’m not being mad at the same background character for most of their chapters. (Which in ThunderClan’s case is Squirrelflight. Both she and Tigerstar II need to go plummet off a rock, skulls first. I doubt StarClan can do brain surgery to save Tigerstar II…)
Chapter 16
Yay, fish training!
This is the kinda stuff we missed out on which could have been avoided if we had a Mistpaw or Graypaw pov, instead we’re stuck with Nightheart.
And you claimed you didn’t have visions, well you’re getting one now.
And while you’re awake, no less!
Killed by a Clanmate! Sadly not Lightleap as cool as that would have been.
I feel Reedwhisker making a StarClan appearance was unnecessary. This should be like Redtail and another RiverClan cat should have appeared. Maybe Willowshine instead?
This arc with Reedwhisker just has some nice throwbacks to OS and it should be leaning on that, a bit more.
Speak to a cat with actual StarClan experience, Mothwing is useless in this regard.
I misread Mallownose as Minnowtail, took a second, but not her!
Have you been eating trash?
That’s a very stupid question Mothwing, I think Frostpaw would know if she had eaten crowfood.
Ya’know they’d help you if you had a connection to StarClan. But you don’t Mothwing. The Moonpool was a free nap for you, for years.
You can’t complain about them when you lacked a belief in them. You should have believed in the first place considering how vital having a connection to StarClan is, for a medicine cat.
The darkness is the cousin you’re weirdly in love with.
Go talk to a medicine cat with a StarClan connection, as mentioned previously, Mothwing is useless.
The bit she could have had use, she ignored. If she had considered Reedwhisker’s wounds more, she’d have been more helpful to the situation. But nope!
Chapter 17
Gathering time!
Go. Mingle. With. Other. People.
I already have to deal with you being with Nightheart in both of your chapters.
Gathering scenes are supposed to be fun and letting us see character interaction between Clans or other characters we don’t get to see very often.
Go talk to someone else than someone that lives in your own Clan! D:
Go talk to someone from WindClan, do anything else!
And while she says this, we haven’t really seen her talk to anyone else but Nightheart…
And I hope a battle happens so we can lose some of the older cats since they refuse to retire. *Shoves Crowfeather and Squirrelflight and others well past their prime into a blender/ the elder’s den.*
Of course Berryheart was right. This is a by-gone conclusion that no one has considered, for some reason. Cats that abandon their Clans for any reason must face the fact they will one day injure or kill their former family or cats close to their family members.
Tawnypelt killed her brother’s only apprentice and didn’t bat an eye in doing so. (And I imagine losing said only apprentice likely didn’t do much to help Bramblestar’s mental health.)
So I hope Nightheart’s fine with ripping one of his Clanmates to shreds, physically.
Ugh, this is another issue.
I want to hear the reports of the other Clans, I want to see how everyone else is doing.
Not for the narrative to skip over everyone else’s announcements to hear Tigerstar II spew trash from his mouth.
Ugh…
They’re making gathering chapters into a snooze fest when they’re supposed to be these fun chapters that would then lead into drama at the end, depending on an announcement.
But they’re skipping the fun stuff and straight to the drama and it’s absolutely boring.
Hawkwing, while SkyClan is still new and doesn’t belong here, I’d rather you not take the duo of deputy loudmouths that talk out of turn into a trio.
Pipe down.
Although Tigerstar II mentioning prey is running well in both Clans, yeah, because ShadowClan has been sampling RiverClan’s…
We are helping by feasting on their food and threatening murder.
They haven’t done crap.
StarClan has MISREPRESENTED your intentions?!
This is a takeover and I bet they’re kicking themselves over reviving your stupid tail.
You were meant to be owl food. Without StarClan, you would be bird chow. Don’t go talking about how they’re misrepresenting your intentions, you took over RiverClan because you were sad.
You were a sad little baby that blamed RiverClan for your son’s death.
But now your son is in StarClan, are you saying your precious little Rowankit is misrepresenting your intentions? That your father and siblings are misrepresenting your intentions?
I think they know your lying tail very well, Tigerstar II. And I hope you rot in the Dark Forest like good ole’ granddad.
And of course, Puppetwing is doing her part in ensuring Tigerstar II keeps his claws in their territory. Ugh, I don’t see how anyone wants her as RiverClan’s next leader. Sure, she’s level headed and a decent candidate but she will roll over and let Tigerstar II do whatever he wants for ShadowClan.
If there was some border trouble with prey, she’d let ShadowClan have it.
She’s simply not a good option for RiverClan leadership, she’s an okay deputy at best.
And there’s the trio.
I can’t remember off the top of my head if Mallownose is related to Splashtail or not, maybe he’s part of the conspiracy?
And here comes deputy loudmouth number 2, even if he is making good points for once.
Still, this should be something asked by HareSTAR not Crowfeather.
Leafstar is entirely correct.
Frostpaw shouldn’t be blamed, even if she is now receiving accurate visions…
And ShadowClan needs to get out of RiverClan territory…
Good on Frostpaw for also standing up to Crowfeather although I’d prefer she hadn’t.
What a sight it would have been for the two to start fighting and any luck, both would die.
WindClan would get a non super old deputy and we’d finally lose Tigerstar II.
Oh, happy days, unfortunately no.
Twigbranch, you’re also not your leader.
Be quiet.
Yes, please, attack him.
Cloverfoot is literally sleeping in Mistystar’s den when she could have a Nursery or Elder’s Den instead.
She is not advising and she should be home. And preferably replacing you, Tigerstar II.
You could literally just leap and push him out of the tree. He’d hit his head or break his spine, he’d be dead.
Do it and all of the problems with ShadowClan’s occupation of RiverClan are solved.
Harestar, go murder people.
And of course, Bramblestar is going to be at his nephew’s defense, I imagine…
So it’s SkyClan against ShadowClan.
Although I think Leafstar alone with RiverClan could launch a decent attack. It’s a war on both borders and ShadowClan would have little choice but to leave…
And here’s the last loudmouth deputy blurting out of her place.
If only Frostpaw could pacify you, too.
She always contradicts him, she has no thoughts for any actual decorum or a United front.
She’s a worthless deputy that deserved to have her rank stripped from her back in SQH.
And now all of the loud-mouth deputies are fighting.
But I want fighting. I want Tigerstar II to be dead and the Clans to be thinned out a bit. I want your wife on a pike.
Because RiverClan has to be the one to do it and by RiverClan I meant, Frostpaw.
Chapter 18
It’s almost like your actions have consequences.
Be ready to rip out your sister’s ear soon.
Unfortunate that I’m only getting violence because of Squirrelflight not knowing what the deputy role is. But Harestar didn’t pick a good option either. (I feel Hawkwing was a good option for the gorge like Leafstar’s past deputies but not a good option amongst the other Clans.)
The difference between being trapped in the Dark Forest for moons and being a show-boating slug.
Bramblestar does need a break in the form of the elder’s den or at the very least a deputy that won’t constantly argue with him in front of the other Clans.
She did this in SQH and now she’s doing it in front of the warriors of other Clans.
And you’re also kin to both of them, why are you just now realizing your great grandpa and your cousin are related?
Shame, there probably won’t be any actual deaths.
Wouldn’t it be grand for my biggest side character problems to take themselves out?
Then I could enjoy Sunbeam’s pov a bit more!
Nightheart is trash, he is not enjoyable until he regains the self-awareness he displayed back in River. Which he won’t.
It was dumb to try and ambush the Clan that’s known for night ambushes at night.
You should have done this at Dawn.
YES.
This is making me so giddy, these are the consequences of betraying your birth Clan for any reason.
Having to face them in battle, even worse that his sister and mother are volatile and specifically being venomous towards him. Because it is 100% deserved because he did betray ThunderClan.
Awwww, it was only a dream.
I’m sad, I wanted violence and the vitriol deserved here.
Yes, you’re supposed to ignore her.
This is a bad idea, let’s not do this.
Sorrelstripe!
And where was this positive connection back in River? All you focused on was Finchlight, Bayshine, and Sparkpelt. But you actually had a positive influence that you didn’t speak too? :/
What respect? You certainly didn’t have respect for Lionblaze when you were being an edgy brat. Yes, I’m bringing the squirrel incident back up. Nightheart should have died to a squirrel and Tigerstar II should have died to that owl. My reading experience would have improved exponentially.
Acknowledge the father-daughter bond between Sorrelstripe and Lionblaze!
Also Moleclaw exhibiting harsh Hollytuft behavior. (She is vicious.)
Don’t have respect for her, she doesn’t do her job well.
Also I’m not surprised they took him straight to Squirrelflight instead, this was a very poor plan.
He was better off just trying to sneak to Bramblestar instead.
Good to see the bias that he applies to his nephew will also extend to his ShadowClan grandson.
And this explains why he’s randomly distant in conversation, he had a very traumatic experience that no cat has gone through. Much less made it back from.
He deserves retirement but that also means I’m stuck with Squirrelflight as leader since she also refuses to die or retire…
Let it drain her strength so she can also retire!
Pinestar! Ironically your and Nightheart’s Ancestor. Bramblestar’s grandfather and Nightheart’s great great grandfather.
No, he has a stupid deputy just like Rowanstar had a stupid deputy.
He’s also your grandpa and he deserves someone who’s willing to understand him for once.
She will be proven correct when Nightheart and Sunbeam randomly move to ThunderClan, plaguing me with more Squirrelflight screentime.
Time to go murder your former kin!
It’s also disheartening to read but entirely understandable as to why Bramblestar is the way he is, now. It is annoying that he won’t discuss it with Squirrelflight but knowing her, she would make it into some huge argument and Bramblestar would badly disassociate.
Chapter 19
Well, you chose three cats that didn’t do it. Duskfur, I’m pleased was among them.
Why aren’t they fishing?
What season is this again? Leaf-fall?
Scorchfur is an acceptable casualty, although I doubt he’s dying.
And good on RiverClan for finding ways to Rebel even if they’re small, unfortunately it can’t be Tigerstar II’s prey as that’s their true enemy.
Let’s not trust Splashtail…
Why can’t you talk to your siblings instead?
Maybe, Graypaw?
Huzzah, it is leaf-fall!
Splashtail’s response makes me think he didn’t do it. Maybe Curlfeather was Reedwhisker’s killer?
Alas, I don’t think she makes it since she gets attacked by Splashtail.
I wish she would have thought, that would have saved us a journey book. (Also robs us of the best character for a brief journey arc.)
Chapter 20
Partially true but no cigar!
I don’t agree with the egg section as ShadowClan aren’t renown climbers, that’s a SkyClan thing.
Fighting off rats is a wonderful echo to Carrionplace so I’m pleased that’s in there. Catching three pieces is fine as there is no specification as to a type of prey.
He could just bring back three dead rats and be good.
I also do agree with Berryheart that these tasks are supposed to be difficult. You’re letting in an enemy warrior into your Clan on the off-chance that they remain forever in love with who they picked. (Even then, they could still go running off via the loyalties to their birth Clan as Nightheart is doing by being late.)
He has some brains after all!
Of course, a squirrel! Good thing he didn’t lose to this one.
Oh, he did fail!
Huh, from all of the comments, I imagined he had succeeded here.
And he has chosen his Clan over her, a difficult decision that many cats who end up in forbidden love, must do.
The downside of this is, I now have to deal with Squirrelflight but it’s better than being consistently mad at Tigerstar II for three whole povs…
Welp, we didn’t have a ThunderClan pov for nearly a whole book, not that it mattered as Nightheart didn’t interact with a lot of ShadowClan cats, which is very annoying.
Chapter 21
And back to ThunderClan, with it being the same day, I imagine they’ll take him in.
Even if they don’t, SkyClan and WindClan might. The former more than the latter, Leafstar is used to taking in strays.
Of course, your grandmother Lilyheart would be on your side, grandma Squirrelflight is a different story though.
Not that you pay attention to Larksong’s side of the family at all…
Eaglewing, yay!
And a swap from Molewhisker earlier in the day with Cherryfall, who, in theory should be nicer.
Eaglewing showing she’s grown a bit but still Carrie’s some of her traits she did back in SQH. (I imagine her sister would be more ruthless if Plumstone even gets screentime.)
Technically you are Flameheart still. Although your suffix definitely could have been anything else as you’re not the apex of loyalty.
I can think of plenty of cats that would be a better fit for ThunderClan over a second “My way or the highway,” leader in charge.
Squirrelflight is as bad as Tigerstar II.
She loves the Sisters not her Clan.
And Squirrelflight remains hard on the kin she so badly wanted.
Nightheart’s life May have been a bit better if Sparkpelt had never been a true mother to her kids, lost in her grief while her mother got to raise her grandkits. At least Gladekit would have been better for him than Flamekit.
Chapter 22
And presumably this is when Frostpaw gets attacked?
I wish she had a better ending chapter, this feels like it’ll be short to give Nightheart more screentime…
Isn’t Splashtail supposed to be with you?
You’re an apprentice, not a warrior.
And they could have given that line to a WindClan cat with less screentime than Breezepelt.
Splashtail went straight for the kill there.
Shame, Frostpaw didn’t get to speak with Whistlepaw though. I was wanting more WindClan screentime than just Breezepelt.
I’m also still irritated by how short this chapter is compared to the more annoying povs. (Sunbeam is fine usually, I just have to deal with Tigerstar II.)
Chapter 23
All of these chapters are short! I was glancing at page numbers.
This must be a dream, there’s no way there’s been a gathering this quickly.
Pouncestep!
And now we see what Sunbeam considers more attractive and a better match than her. A silver she-cat with blue eyes.
Being alone is fine but I do think there could be other options than dumb Nightheart!
Berryheart, now is not the time and it’s too soon.
Speaking of another cat, I want dead.
Go fall down a hole and break your neck, Lightleap.
Some nice characterization for both Pouncestep and Snaketooth out of it!
Snaketooth really needs more screentime considering she’s Sunbeam’s former mentor.
Not anymore!
Unfortunately.
You could, at literally any time or day, conqueror.
RiverClan would have responded this way regardless of Berryheart’s intervention, Sunbeam.
Two toms, two she-cats.
I’m just annoyed that Lightleap is among them but of course he’d pick his favorite daughter.
Well, at least I’ll have a very short RiverClan pov until Sunbeam moves to ThunderClan. ThunderClan needs less cats, not more.
Chapter 24
And a final Nightheart chapter. And then I get a vacation from him with reading RH.
And gaze upon more treachery. The tasks should not be so spread out and now Nightheart is revealing ShadowClan hunting secrets to ThunderClan…
It is still something the other Clans will take advantage of, especially with how quick Squirrelflight is to get angry.
While I do think Bramblestar should retire, Squirrelflight is a horrible option to replace him.
Not to mention she won’t stand for a deputy that tries to talk sense into her and Ivypool is hardly a “Yes man,” that she needs.
Stormcloud dialogue!
Sunbeam at least is now living in RiverClan soyou won’t have to worry about attacking her. And you never interacted with either of her brothers or father, only Berryheart.
And here I was hoping you’d wait a book before moving to ThunderClan…
First Tigerstar II all book and now Squirrelflight…
And your grandmother, yeesh acknowledge your dad’s side, at all!
Have fun killing your family, Sunbeam!
And the cycle of she-cats moves to tom’s Clan continues. :/
Not one of the three couples moved to the she-cat’s Clan. All of the she-cats compromised for the tom even when it would have worked better for SpireXFringe for Spireclaw to move to SkyClan.
Fernstripe moved to Shellfur’s Clan and hasn’t even had any speaking lines. So their relationship might as well not have existed with Nightheart’s insistent “Me, me, me,” in relation to his povs in TC.
And this is why you shouldn’t have come, Sunbeam.
I doubt it but I enjoy the potential drama of Sunbeam killing Lightleap on the battlefield or the latter dies to her injuries.
Just the prices to pay for the forbidden love, it was against the code for a reason.
Just because you’re all in peace time doesn’t mean you get to forget you’ll be chewing through the cats that raised you.
And with Nightheart growing a few brain cells with that prayer, I come to the end of Shadow.
The book itself was enjoyable but it is filled with numerous missed opportunities to expand the pov characters with other Clanmates. Or make mention of other characters that we haven’t seen, such as in WindClan.
It once again suffers from poor timeskips when we should be shown such mishaps such as Nightheart interacting with other ShadowClan cats to see how they feel about him or Sunbeam’s time in RiverClan. But nope!
My issues with gatherings are also not new and I had been noting that since the last arc as well.
PO3 was really the best arc for these things and makes me sorely wish we had gotten Graypaw and Mistpaw as replacement povs for Sunbeam and Nightheart.
We would have seen more of RiverClan and had different viewpoints between the three siblings considering Icewing is the mentor of Mistpaw.